To Lake Albert Edward 171 



visit. The steppe is intersected longitudinally by a broad, 

 deep ravine, at the bottom of which flows a shallow watercourse. 

 This brook is overrun by a palm thicket, and is a favourite haunt 

 of beasts of prey, particularly lions and leopards. It was there 

 that we proposed to fix our headquarters. 



Long-sustained roarings, disturbing the nocturnal peace, 

 raised hopes in Veriter's and my own breast that some of the 

 beasts might be visible when we tramped through the dewy 

 grass at daybreak. And we soon had the good fortune to have 

 our expectations realised. As the red disc of the sun shot 

 out its first rays to greet us, I saw the dark form of an immense 

 male lion slouching through the grass straight ahead of me, 

 the tips of the great mane and the line of the back showing 

 up strongly against the light. Having stalked him for some 

 distance, it was not difficult to bring him down. At the first 

 shot he wheeled round growling ; at the second he lurched 

 sideways and fell into the grass. Whilst inspecting the spoil, 

 casually raising our eyes to the west we saw the beginning of 

 a violent eruption of Namlagira. The column of smoke, wonder- 

 fully illuminated by the morning light, worked its way upward 

 in massive rolling clouds, and, widening out as it rose, was 

 dispersed in ever-increasing circles. 



This single hour made amends for many a hunting failure. 

 To have shot a lion whilst in view of an active volcano! Not 

 many persons have had such an experience. To attain the victory 

 over the mightiest beast of prey with the mightiest spectacle 

 which Nature can offer as witness — was there ever such luck ? 



Having skinned our prize, we proceeded further in the direc- 

 tion of the ravine, and took no further notice of the numerous 

 game all around us. 



This gorge proved to be one of considerable difficulty for a 

 caravan to cross, and we had to construct a special road. A 

 steep path was struck through the brushwood to the bottom, 

 and was made passable for the load carriers in the swampy 

 places by heaping up palm branches. This work finished, we 

 lay down to a well-earned rest, expecting the caravan to arrive 



