VIII 



LION 



FELIS LEO 



SwAHiLi : SiMBA. Arabic : Asal 



EVERYONE knows the lion from his 

 schoolboy days. We've all seen him 

 in a Zoo, if not in his natural state, so 

 I'll not dilate upon his appearance but 

 try and describe my latest encounters with him. 



On my way up the Nile, on my return journey 

 to Uganda, I took advantage of the Sirdar's 

 kindness in allowing me to purchase a licence at 

 the cheap rate prescribed for Sudan Government 

 officials ; and also of the permission accorded 

 therewith to land at Meshra Zeraf in the Game 

 Reserve. I had " spotted " this place on my way 

 down with Mr. Churchill, and had made a mental 

 note of it then, in the event of my being allowed 

 to shoot in the Sudan on my return. 



I was temporarily " marooned " by the south- 

 bound Post boat, and left behind there in the 

 early morning— hoping for the best as regards 

 being picked up again — to work my wicked will 

 amongst the Sudan game animals congregated in 

 this district at the beginning of the dry season. 



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