V A FRUITLESS LION HUNT 53 



edge of what looked like an escarpment stretching 

 away to the east, so I made up my mind to go and 

 see what the valley beneath contained. I left a 

 man with instructions to wait for an hour in case S. 

 should arrive, so that he might direct him to me. 



Taking with me Abbudi and my gun-bearer, I rode 

 off and in a little time approached the edge of the 

 Yatta Plateau where it descends precipitously to the 

 valley below, thus forming an abrupt boundary to 

 this wide expanse of plain that stretches away to the 

 horizon. Of course, I dismounted before reaching the 

 edge of this precipice and walked quietly towards it, 

 taking cover behind a rock, so as not to disturb any 

 game that might be in sight. On looking over, I 

 was rewarded by the magnificent view which met 

 my eyes. A lovely stretch of broad valley unfolded 

 itself beneath me, bathed in soft but brilliant morning- 

 sunshine. Standing out boldly, and apparently 

 about half a score of miles away, jutted up some 

 gigantic and curiously castle-like rocks. I looked 

 longingly at these and wanted very badly to go and 

 explore them, especially as I heard the short sharp 

 grunts of a lioness coming from somewhere in their 

 direction, accompanied now and again by the more 

 majestic roar of her mate. 



Just at the bottom of the escarpment grazed a large 

 herd of Coke's hartebeeste. As I had approached so 

 cautiously, they were wholly unaware of my presence 



