VIII AN EVENTFUL XMAS DAY 91 



slumber when my horse dipped into a sandy .q'ully 

 and scrambled up the opposite side not a hundred 

 yards away. 



When I had crossed the valley and reached the 

 crest of the rise on the further side I was rewarded 

 by a magnificent view over the surrounding country. 

 Away to my left rose the frowning ridge of the 

 Yatta escarpment. The distant roars of a lion 

 came reverberating from the huge rocks which 

 studded its precipitous face, while the lesser roars 

 of a lioness, given in that peculiar manner which 

 shows she has cubs with her, were plainly to be 

 heard miles ahead in the direction in which the 

 safari was travelling. 



From my post of observation I could see for a great 

 distance all over the country, yet curiously enough 

 not a sign was visible of my own party, although 

 they, with nearly a hundred followers, were not a 

 mile away. The little valley along which they were 

 travelling engulfed them as completely from me 

 as if they had been at the other end of the world. 

 I knew, however, that they were making for a huge 

 castle-like rock which stood out distinctly on the 

 plain some three miles off, where we had arranged 

 to have breakfast, so putting Aladdin to a canter 

 I made for this rendezvous. On the way I came 

 across another rhino followed by her baby, but 

 both speedily made off as soon as they observed me. 



