ROOSEVELT'S EXPERIENCE IN THE JUNGLE. 153 



The native beaters set out in all directions under the instruc- 

 tion of the "headman," armed with all sorts of noise-making devices, 

 which could not but arouse any game within earshot. Some of the 

 beats proved blanks, but by nightfall no less than ten kinds of game 

 had been bagged. 



Kermit during the greater part of the day did more effective 

 Vv^ork with his camera than he did with his gun, he and the other 

 members of the party allowing Col. Roosevelt the much-prized shots. 



Mr. Selous accompanied the former President, who also was 

 attended by the usual retinue of beaters. As a rule the beaters go 

 into the jungle with considerable trepidation, but as Col. Roosevelt's 

 reputation as a hunter had reached Africa long before he arrived 

 in person, the beaters on this occasion were exceptionally enthu- 

 siastic. They seemed even eager to play a part in the first hunt of 

 the distinguished American. 



FIRST LION HUNT FULL OF THRILLS. 



Col. Roosevelt's first lion hunt was full enough of thrills to 

 last the average man a lifetime, yet it is doubtful if that dauntless 

 hunter so much as turned a hair at his marvellous shot, which 

 unquestionably saved the life of two members of his party. 



After that one shot, his fame was as secure in Africa as it is 

 in America. 



The beaters had discovered three lions in the act of pulling 

 down a buffalo, off on the edge of the open ground, where prairie 

 and jungle meet. 



Two of the men, one of them a native and the other a white 

 employe of Sir Alfred Pease, Col. Roosevelt's host, stealthily 

 advanced and strove to disconcert the animals and to drive them in 

 the direction of the other members of the party. 



Two of the lions, with that queer psychology so common in 

 wild beasts, bounded oft' into the high grass, and temporarily, at 

 least, evaded the sportsmen. 



Not so the third and largest of the trio. With a bound and a 

 roar he leaped for the now thoroughly terrified men. One instant 

 he was in the air in a grand flying charge. The next-.- 



