248 MY SOMALI BOOK 



unsuited for the purpose. But on that subject I have 

 yet a whole separate chapter to inflict upon my long- 

 suffering reader ! 



Opinions of the great African hunters vary as to 

 which is the most dangerous species of African big 

 game, but the weight of evidence goes to support 

 Selous, who places the lion first. This view is confirmed 

 by the unquestionable fact that among hunters in 

 Africa killed or injured by wild beasts, far the greatest 

 number of casualties is due to lions. Colonel Roosevelt, 

 for instance, writing in 1910, mentions that during the 

 previous three or four years in East Africa and Uganda, 

 over fifty white men were killed or mauled by lions, 

 buffaloes, elephants, and rhinos, and the lions had 

 much the largest list of victims to their credit. And 

 some of these victims are experienced sportsmen, 

 witness the death of the late Mr. George Grey this 

 year (1911). 



These are facts. I quote them to prove to any 

 possible reader who may think of going to shoot in 

 Africa without previous experience, and who may 

 have imbibed contrary ideas, that while there is usually 

 little risk in shooting a lion on foot, provided the sports- 

 man is suitably armed, keeps cool, and shoots straight, 

 the possibility of danger is always present, and there 

 is never any knowing when it may develop into 

 actuality. That lioness of mine at Aror was a case 

 in point, when but for Abdilleh I might not be writing 

 to-day. On the other occasions I had no trouble, 

 because I had a good weapon, was fortunate in obtain- 

 ing easy shots, and was thus able in each instance to 

 get in a fatal or disabling shot before the lion realised 



