CHAPTER XL 



Thre:e: Lions with Thrke: Bulle:ts— Wii^debkest or Gnu was 

 Roose:ve:lt's First Victim — Son's Expedition Without 

 Father — Smai.i.pox Breaks Out in the Camp — Hunt 

 Delayed by Missing Baggage. 



V/" EARNING of years at last was on the verge of satisfaction. 

 ^ Theodore Roosevelt was where, in all the world, he most 

 desired to be — in the heart of Africa, surrounded by the most 

 majestic game the earth affords. 



The first night of the Roosevelt expedition under canvas in 

 Africa was spent in the elaborate camp set up for the party near 

 the railroad station at Kapiti Plains. It was without incident save 

 that the plains resounded with the night roaring of an unfenced 

 Zoo. 



No decision yet had been reached as to when the expedition 

 would leave. Some of the baggage sent by the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tute was left behind at Mombasa, and this fact threatened to cause 

 a delay in the start of the shooting trips of two or three days. It 

 was rumored that the baggage in question was stolen on board the 

 steamer Admiral, but these statements were eventually proven with- 

 out foundation. 



Col. Roosevelt, who arose the next morning in splendid spirits, 

 forbare all the members of his expedition to give out any informa- 

 tion regarding the future plans or movements of the party. 



He was much annoyed to receive word that the Mombasa 

 Standard has published a violently worded attack upon Mr. F. J. 

 Jackson, the Acting Governor of the protectorate, and Col. Roose- 

 velt, for allowing only representatives of American newspapers 

 to accompany the Roosevelt special train from Mombasa to Kapiti 

 Plains. 



This attack was copied by the Nairobi newspapers, and it is 

 said that the imperial government asked an explanation from the 



147 



