LION 



423 



refused to be deterred by devices which would scare them under 

 ordinary conditions. Fires were blazing all night, and the watchman 

 kept up a continual clattering of kerosene-tins hung up for the purpose ; 

 but all these were of no avail, and the lions somehow contrived to 

 make their way noiselessly through the dense thorn zariba round the 

 camps and, defying noise and glare, carried off their victims. At first 

 the attack was always made by a single lion, its mate waiting outside 

 the fence to share the meal ; but with fuller experience this method 

 of hunting was abandoned and both lions attacked simultaneously, 

 each taking its own victim. It would seem, indeed, as though the two 



Fig. 90. — Masai Lioness in the Berlin Zoological Gardens, from a photograph supplied 



by Dr. Heck. 



worked on a concerted plan : one keeping watch for a foe, while the 

 other did the work, until it was realised that they could do without 

 the sentry and both accomplish active work. They thus acquired 

 complete contempt for the unfortunate coolies. On one occasion a 

 lion forced its way through the fence, regardless of sticks, stones, 

 and firebrands, and killed a man whose body it dragged away : when 

 once outside the thorn-fence it was joined by its mate, and the two 

 actually devoured the victim within thirty yards of the tent whence 

 he had been seized, while the chief of the guard fired several shots at 

 them. The attack was invariably made in complete silence. Every 

 night the roaring of the lions was heard gradually drawing nearer, 



