CHAPTER VI

1881-1885

Return to South Africa--Intends to be an ostrich farmer--Goes north again--The snake-stone--Collecting specimens of big game and butterflies--A bold lioness--Visit to Khama--Lion attacks the camp--Death of the lion--Laer's narrow escape--Kills a leopard--Reaches the Zambesi--Goes south and then returns to Mashunaland--The Manyami plateau--A savage leopard--Adventure with a lion--The hippopotamus row--A poor outlook--Visit to the Mababe--A man-eating lion--Return to Bulawayo--The white rhinoceros--A wonderful herd of elephants--A great day spoiled by a sulky horse--Frequently charged by elephants--A savage cow--Curious magnanimity to a horse--Liechtenstein's Hartebeest--A gallant sable antelope--Havoc amongst the dogs--Danger from wounded sable and roan antelopes 141