104 MY SOMALI BOOK 



bush and high grass began to appear agani, and at 

 2 p.m., after seven hours' tracking, we came to a 

 patch of durr grass, growing round a couple of thorn 

 trees, that looked really promising, though from its 

 shape not a very easy one for a single gun to attack. 



A careful silent circuit of this grass disclosed no 

 sign of any out-going tracks, and though from the 

 nature of the ground it was impossible to be quite 

 certain, it looked as if His Majesty was probably at 

 home. The cover was in the shape of a rough triangle 

 with open ground at the base in rear where the lion 

 had entered. On the opposite side, roughly parallel 

 with the base, there was a line of bush and more grass 

 which was almost met by the apex of the triangle, 

 with thicker cover again beyond. Now, as a rule, a 

 lion, when disturbed, prefers to return by the way he 

 came, but as things were in the present case he was 

 more likely to choose the opposite direction as offering 

 much the least exposed line of retreat. 



For this reason I took up my position behind a 

 thorn bush, about four feet high, at the extreme apex 

 of the triangle. Here I commanded its two front 

 sides, myself more or less concealed. As this position 

 was also down-wind, and I had onlj^ three men with 

 me, the wisest plan seemed to be to fire the grass from 

 the rear in two or three places. Abdilleh therefore 

 placed the -400 ready cocked, leaning up against the 

 bush beside me, and then went off to instruct Henduleh 

 and Elmi, who had remained behind, where to fire the 

 grass first, intending then to return to me. 



We did not yet know for certain that the lion 

 was there, so it was with a sudden thrill ^^liich I shall 



