148 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA chap. 



he would brush against the muzzle of my rifle. 

 I therefore drew it back with the greatest stealth 

 until it was flush with the opening. 



Unfortunately, just at this moment one of the 

 men, who did not realise the importance of silence, 

 moved noisily, with the result that the brute 

 gave a low growl and bounded away. It was a 

 great disappointment, as in another moment the lion 

 would, I am convinced, have shown his head and 

 so have given me the chance I was waiting for. 

 However, there was no help for it, so I recommended 

 that absolute silence should now be maintained, 

 as I felt that he would return before long and 

 endeavour to devour the remains of the eland — nor 

 was I mistaken. 



Within an hour we heard him begin his advance 

 once more, and this time he was accompanied by at 

 least a couple of his mates, as we distinctly located 

 three lions round about us. We could plainly hear 

 the rustling of their bodies through the low bushes 

 which grew thickly hereabouts ; then there would 

 be a halt for a second or two, a low growl and again 

 a stealthy advance. As they neared the kill they 

 gave vent to a few purrs and fierce low snarls, 

 evidently with the object of instilling terror into 

 anything in the vicinity. On our part I must say 

 that we found the sinister music with which they 

 heralded their approach distinctly awe-inspiring. 



