V A FRUITLESS LION HUNT 51 



to be away, so the place was left in darkness. The 

 wood for the fire, however, was all in place, and 

 in the heap by chance was an upright sharp stake. 

 Soon after nightfall a lion, seeking what he might 

 devour, jumped into the boma, and by an unlucky 

 accident for himself landed fair on the upright stake, 

 which went clean through his body. The beast 

 managed to drag himself out through the bushes, 

 but was found dead just outside on the following 

 morning, with the stake sticking through him. 



In a country such as this, abounding as it 

 did with so much game, lions were sure to be 

 numerous, and we had ample evidence of this 

 fact soon after darkness set in, as we heard them 

 roaring in all directions round our camp. S. and 

 I therefore planned an expedition for the following 

 morning, while we still sat in the glow of the camp 

 fire and listened to the music of the wilds as voiced 

 by these majestic animals. Accordingly, at about 

 4 a.m. we started off, he on his mule, and I mounted 

 on Aladdin. We marched in practically a northerly 

 direction, following to the best of our ability the 

 sound of a roaring lion. We were, of course, ac- 

 companied by Abuddi and a couple of gun-bearers, 

 while about a mile behind us, so that they might 

 not frighten the game, marched a dozen porters to 

 carry back to camp any meat or trophies that we 

 might shoot. 



E 2 



