Untrodden Paths 33 



and then to fire the dry steppe grass. We hoped in this way, and 

 by means of the dense clouds of smoke, to drive the lions from 

 their lurking place. 



Then we three Europeans took up our posts, mine being at the 

 southern end of the thicket near the upper end of the gorge. The 

 zoologist and Wintgens stationed themselves lower down. Sit- 

 ting on my hunting stool, an Askari ready with a reserve rifle 

 behind me, I waited for events, which I hardly believed would 

 happen. Suddenly, however, I noticed a commotion along the 

 line of bearers, and with the aid of my glasses I perceived that 

 the Askari were shouting and endeavouring to head the wings of 

 the bearer line. I gripped the butt end of my rifle tighter, and, 

 to my indescribable amazement, I observed first one maned head, 

 then a second, and later three more heads of lions emerging from 

 the tall grass close below my position. Unfortunately the height 

 of the grass allowed me to see hardly anything of the bodies of 

 the animals, so that I could scarcely count on the success of any 

 shot. But remembering from experience, particularly applicable 

 in Africa, that not to shoot means failure, I let go at the head of 

 the first one and — missed ; also a second and a third time. Then 

 I took refuge in the only right rule for lion shooting : shoot and 

 run as long as you have any breath, for any correct and methodical 

 stalking of these creatures is out of the question. One usually 

 succeeds without cover and with good wind in drawing near to a 

 trotting lion, as he does not keep a very good look out when on 

 the move. I calculated upon this. With rifle in hand I beat a 

 way for myself through the breast-high grass as rapidly as I 

 could down into the gorge, shaking off the Askari, who in his 

 fear tried to hold me back. " Simana bana, simba wengi " (" Stay 

 here, master ; there's a crowd of lions "), he kept repeating. But 

 I would not be diverted from my purpose, for I could only 

 reckon upon success if I crept somewhere close up. 



Just as I reached the bottom of the valley the animals wheeled 

 and fled up the opposite slope about three hundred metres dis- 

 tant from my position. I sighted high and fired. The physical 



and mental excitement, however, was too great. Another miss ! 

 F 



