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or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts at IntoHistory.com. It's February 16, 1844 in Botswana, Africa.

A 30-year-old Scottish missionary makes his way through the African brush.

Dr. David Livingston came here to Botswana with the intention of spreading Christianity through

Africa. But so far, the work is proving difficult. The local villagers just don't seem interested

in listening to what David has to say about the Bible. On a hillside up ahead, some shepherds are

tending their flock. David raises a hand in greeting, but the shepherds ignore him.

The young missionary sigh sadly. He's been in Botswana several months now, and still the locals

treat him with suspicion. If he can't earn their trust, how can he expect to convert them to his church?

As he gets closer, David notices the shepherd seem agitated.

They're looking anxiously toward the crest of a hill and brandishing their spears.

David follows their line of sight, then he sees it.

A lion, slinking from the tall grass, its unblinking eyes trained on the grazing flock.

David's instincts tell him to run, but then an idea strikes him.

He might be able to make a good impression on the villagers and maybe get them to listen to his lessons.

So with trembling hands, he unslings his rifle from his shoulder and takes aim at the line.

David squints one eye, draws his steadying breath, and then...

Squeezes the trigger.

The force of the blast knocks David to the ground.

He's never fired a gun before.

...