XIX 



THE DOGS 



I SOON discovered that we were hunting lions 

 with the assistance of the dogs; not that the 

 dogs were hunting lions. They had not lost any 

 lions, not they! My mental pictures of the snarl- 

 ing, magnificent king of beasts surrounded by an 

 equally snarling, magnificent pack vanished into 

 thin air. 



Our system was to cover as much likely country 

 as we could, and to let the dogs have a good time. 

 As I have before indicated, they were thoroughly 

 doggy dogs, and interested in everything except 

 able-bodied lions. None of the stick-at-your-heels 

 in their composition. They ranged far and wide 

 through all sorts of cover seeking what they could 

 find in the way of porcupines, mongoose, hares, 

 birds, cats and whatever else should interest any 

 healthy-minded dog. If there happened to be any 

 lions in the path of these rangings, the dogs retired 

 rapidly, discreetly, and with every symptom of 

 horrified disgust. If a dog came sailing out of a 



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