How we cite our quotes:
Quote #7
"For one thing, he's certain to be suffering. For another, some one else might run on to him." (2.117)
It's hard to think of Wilson as a softie, but he sure does not want the lion to suffer. Macomber is a little more into self-preservation and less concerned about having anything to prove. He has had enough violence for the day, thank you very much.
Quote #8
He heard the ca-ra-wong! of Wilson's big rifle, and again in a second crashing carawong! and turning saw the lion, horrible-looking now, with half his head seeming to be gone, crawling toward Wilson in the edge of the tall grass while the red-faced man worked the belt on the short ugly rifle and aimed carefully as another blasting carawong! came from the muzzle, and the crawling, heavy, yellow bulk of the lion stiffened and the huge, mutilated head slid forward. (3.7)
Wilson saves Macomber, shooting like the professional that he is. Then, Macomber must face the "enemy" in the form of a disfigured and bloody lion. It's a chaotic, gory scene with all the adrenaline that comes with witnessing a quick, violent death.
Quote #9
Hope the silly beggar doesn't take a notion to blow the back of my head off, Wilson thought to himself. Women are a nuisance on safari. (3.90)
Wilson briefly frets about the possibility that Macomber's fear of shooting does not include human prey. After sleeping with Margot, Wilson for once feels pretty worried that he might take a bullet himself. Perhaps Macomber should have been the one to be scared of such a death.