34 In the Heart of Africa 



Through the valley we rushed, hindered and hampered at 

 every step by the tall grass. Half-way up the slope I at last 

 caught a clear view of two of the creatures. At a distance of 

 150 paces one bullet found its mark in the body of a medium- 

 sized male lion, as one could perceive by the lashing of its tail 

 and by that peculiar deep growling which no one who has once 

 heard ever forgets. Following on the shot we found blood 

 marks, and continued the chase with our guns ready and cocked. 

 Anyone who has ever tracked a wounded lion through the tall 

 grass into the dense scrub knows that creepy sensation of suspense 

 that gradually steals upon one as he penetrates deeper and deeper 

 with rifle at the ready, awaiting an attack at any moment. My 

 nerves, however, were not exposed to too great an ordeal, for 

 whilst following up the bloody trail one of my Askari suddenly 

 saw the lion's tawny hide gleaming through the grass. Turning 

 to me he said : " Kapnti* bana." 



I have often found that when dying a lion utters cries which 

 are difficult to describe ; I can only say that they sound like 

 dolorous lamentations. On hearing these Dr. Schubotz, who had 

 followed us, rushed up and shook me by the hand, congratulating 

 me. We were regarding the fine creature when one of the boys. 

 Almas, stretched out his hands crying: "See, master, still two 

 more." As a matter of fact, two lionesses were pacing to and fro 

 on the top of a hill some distance off. I immediately left a 

 watch to guard the dead lion, and ran towards the fugitives. 

 The exertion was tremendous, for innumerable summits had to be 

 surmounted, and in places the grass reached up to our breasts. 

 Pulses leaped high and hearts beat to bursting, whilst the per- 

 spiration literally poured in streams from our bodies. Yet we 

 were ready for anything rather than lose such game ! Better be 

 dead than abandon the pursuit, as long as we had the slightest 

 hope of success. But in spite of every effort the distance between 

 us grew ever greater, and so at length I resigned the spoil to 

 Schubotz, and returned to skin my dead lion. 



I had hardly reached the spot when a youth came rushing up 

 * Kaputi, " done for," a favourite expression for dead. 



