334 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA chap. 



ceased, and we were able at last to set out for 

 Serah, which we reached safely, early in the after- 

 noon. We heard lions roaring round the camp at 

 night, and a sudden gale of wind nearly carried 

 away the tent. 



Early next day the long-expected camels turned 

 up at last, and I was very glad indeed to see them, 

 as food was badly needed for the safari, and we had 

 been obliged to shoot meat for them every day. 

 Fortunately the camels arrived just in time to take 

 us across the waterless tract of country which lies 

 between Serah and the Guaso Nyiro ; so, when food 

 had been distributed, we started off at once, and 

 before darkness fell had covered a good stretch of 

 that inhospitable desert. 



Soon after we had set out on the following 

 morning, as I was riding slowly and painfully 

 along, I saw some vultures on the track just 

 ahead of us. Had I been well enough I would 

 undoubtedly have jumped off my pony and stalked 

 the spot carefully, for I felt sure there would be a 

 kill, and probably lions on it. As it was, I felt little 

 or no interest in anything, and so rode on without 

 making any attempt to come upon them unawares. 

 When we approached the spot we saw, as I quite 

 expected, two lions well out in the open, feeding on 

 an impala which they had killed. On seeing us they 

 left what little remained of their feast and made off 



