32 In the Heart of Africa 



During the last two nights our signals had been heard, and the 

 caravan had found us in our hour of need." 



Meanwhile Wintgens, Schubotz and I had utilised the time 

 of our stay opposite Mount Ndama, and the weeks occupied by 

 Kirschstein and Weiss in their work, to investigate the unex- 

 plored region from all quarters. On one occasion this led us in a 

 south-easterly direction, almost to northern Kissaka. We noticed 

 everywhere immense herds of game, which, as usual, consisted 

 mainly of zebras, elands, lyre-antelopes, and reed-bucks. Equine 

 antelopes were only visible during one excursion to the south-east. 

 Lions were enormously abundant, more so than in any other 

 portion of German territory. The only district in which we 

 encountered similar conditions was in the Congo State at the 

 south end of Lake Albert Edward. I might here relate one of 

 our experiences : 



Wintgens and I returned to the tent one noonday after a 

 successful excursion, hungry and ready for a well-earned meal. 

 Suddenly our zoologist rushed in with news of a troop of six 

 lions, seen whilst he was returning to camp. During the pursuit 

 the animals, almost invisible amongst the tall grass, permitted 

 him at intervals to approach within a few steps and then fled 

 roaring. As the high grass completely covered the beasts, he 

 was only able to get in a shot at the head of one of the males. 

 The lions then trotted away, and, keeping up a steady pursuit, he 

 saw them disappear in a thicket of dense acanthus. 



His story at first excited our incredulity. His imagination 

 appeared to have been strongly stimulated by reports from our 

 followers, who, as is well known, are fond of " living up to " and 

 anticipating their master's wishes. As, however, our hunting 

 instincts were roused by the story, we decided upon driving the 

 scrub. Eighty carriers, on whose faces doubt and disbelief were 

 plainly visible, started immediately, and, accompanied by five 

 Askari, arrived at the thicket in question. We sent off the bearers 

 to the opposite side of the acanthus, a distance of some three 

 hundred metres away, to act as a screen, and posted the Askari 

 on the wings. All our followers were ordered to shout and yell, 



