Lion 



My camp was duly pitched about half a mile 

 from the river, to avoid as far as possible the 

 unpleasantness and evil effects of the mosquitoes. 

 I left a white flag flying on the bank of the Nile, 

 so that anyone who knew of my being there — 

 and I had taken the precaution of informing the 

 necessary officials previously — could sound a blast 

 on the steam whistle of his passing steamer, and 

 deliver or receive communications. 



Whilst my tent was being set up and all im- 

 pedimenta fixed, I took a good walk in order to 

 spy out the land, as well as to get something for 

 the larder and make the foundations for a stock-pot. 

 I found the country dry and parched ; the black- 

 cotton soil underfoot was cracked and dusty ; the 

 fringe of acacias and wait-a-bit thorn bushes, a 

 short distance from the river, were crying aloud 

 for want of water ; whilst inland there was nothing 

 but dry and crackling stalks of burnt-up grass to 

 impede walking, with the result that my putties 

 soon became a mass of spear-grass and wild 

 teazles. This clearly showed us that water was 

 scarce inland, that in all probability animal life 

 depended wholly on the river, and that creatures 

 of all sorts were likely to come from long distances 

 inland to slake their thirst. My walk round 

 proved unfruitful except for guinea-fowl, with 

 which the country swarmed, so, having taken 

 good toll from the many flocks, I remained 

 at home, contenting myself with getting every- 



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