"...we all three dismounted, and, drawing our rifles from their holsters, we looked to see if the powder was up in the nipples, and put on our caps. While this was doing the lioness sat up, and showed evident symptoms of uneasiness. She looked first at us, then behind her, as if to see if the coast were clear; after which she made a short run towards us, uttering her deep-drawn murderous growls. I had given Stofolus my William Moore rifle, with orders to shoot her if she should spring upon me, but on no account to shoot before me. Kleinboy was to stand ready to hand me my James Purdey rifle, in case my two-grooved John Dickson should not prove sufficient."
"I was accompanied by Isaac, who was mounted on the Old Grey and carried my clumsy Dutch rifle of six to the pound. At last the buffaloes suddenly pulled up, and stood at bay in a thicket within TWENTY YARDS (my capital letters) of me. I hastily loaded my John Dickson rifle, which I scarcely completed when Isaac rode up and inquired what had become of the buffaloes, little dreaming that they were standing within twenty yards of him. I answered by pointing my Dickson across his horse's nose and letting fly a sharp right and left barrel at the two buffaloes."
From "A Hunter's Life in South Africa"
by
R. Gordon Cumming
June 1850
Some makers don't need for their guns to talk it is all written down for us.
