MY FIRST LION 51 



gorging themselves on the flesh the lions had 

 retreated to a thicket for the day. 



It was then about three o'clock, and vainly I 

 tried to find out how far away the lions were, 

 but could only learn that it was "not far.'* 

 Past experience had taught me that to a Masai 

 "not far" meant a journey of from one to six 

 hours. Finally, I learned that by travelling fast 

 I could reach the lions half an hour before the 

 sun should set. 



Colonel Roosevelt at the time was out hunt- 

 ing. I mounted my horse, took the herdboy, 

 and, with my gun bearer and several porters to 

 bring in the lions in case we were successful, at 

 once set out. 



The Masai guide, who wore only a square piece 

 of goatskin tied at two corners and thrown over 

 his shoulders, was a bright-looking little fellow 

 about sixteen years old, well built and with ex- 

 ceptionally long legs. When we first started 

 out I doubted if he could keep up with my horse, 

 but after we had gone two miles the doubt was 

 dispelled. He not only kept pace with us but 

 usually he was several rods in advance, urging 

 us onward. Frequently he would wait for us, 

 and by sign-language tell us that we must hurry 



