V A NERVE-SHAKING EXPERIENCE 91 



evidently nearer, and roaring magnificently at inter- 

 vals, they continued to approach until there could 

 be no doubt that they were coming down to drink 

 at the water-hole close to our bivouac. This water- 

 hole was situated in the bed of the river at the foot 

 of a steep high bank on the top of which we were 

 lying. A game -path led down into the river-bed 

 some fifteen yards away, and the lions were coming 

 down this path. The night was inky black, as the 

 sky was overcast with heavy clouds, for the rainy 

 season was close at hand. Our fire had died down 

 to a few embers, and it was useless looking for wood 

 in such darkness. I don't think the lions ever 

 noticed our dying fire, or ever had any idea of our 

 close proximity to the water-hole, as, after having 

 roared about a quarter of a mile away, they walked 

 noiselessly past us along the game-path, and descend- 

 ing to the river-bed, commenced to slake their thirst. 

 We could hear them lapping the water when they 

 were drinking. They roared three times in the 

 river-bed just below us, and the volume of sound 

 they emitted when all roaring in unison was nerve- 

 shaking. My Kafirs sat motionless and silent, hold- 

 ing their hands over their mouths. There were no 

 trees of any size near us, only small bushes, so they 

 could not make a run for it to any place of safety. 

 They confessed to me the next morning that when 

 they heard the lions roaring so near them "their 

 hearts died," meaning that they were terrified ; and 

 although I myself was not then of a very nervous 

 disposition, and moreover believed that when lions 

 roared loudly they were not hungry, and would 

 therefore be unlikely to attack a human being, I was 

 very glad when they at last left the water and we 

 heard them go roaring back to where they had 

 probably been feeding on the carcase of a buffalo 

 or some other animal before they came to drink. 

 I certainly do not believe that lions roar when 



