172 In the Heart of Africa 



in about an hour's time, under the conduct of Raven. Suddenly 

 we heard shots in the distance, and, jumping up, we made out 

 Raven and Weidemann, accompanied by two Askari, climbing 

 down the opposite side of the ravine with their guns in readiness, 

 some 300 metres from where we lay. I snatched up my gun 

 and rushed to the scene, 



" What's the matter ? " 



"Lions!" 



"Where?" 



" In the gorge." 



" How many ? " 



" Three ; here are their tracks. One is wounded, for there's 

 blood here." 



I signed to three Askari and we occupied the edge of the 

 ravine on our side to prevent the beasts escaping. As further 

 search proved useless for the time being, we decided to continue 

 it in the afternoon, and set up camp scarcely 400 metres north 

 of the edge of the ravine. Unfortunately I was obliged to forgo 

 further participation in the hunt as some very pressing corre- 

 spondence confined me to the tent. In any case, I entertained 

 no further hope of success ; I did not think for a moment that 

 it was possible for the two unhurt lions to be still in the vicinity. 

 But I was mistaken ; for hardly were the two Askari whom I 

 had sent to spy out the land and bring back any news, out of 

 sight, than one of them, the Masai, Abdullah, came flying back 

 making signs in the distance. Now or never! Pen and paper 

 were thrown aside. Jamming my hat on my head, I snatched 

 up my rifle and loaded as I ran. In the meantime Abdullah had 

 reached me. " Quick, quick, bana ; there are two big lions lying 

 there and sleeping, karibu sana — quite close." 



Two minutes later I examined the perfectly fresh tracks and 

 the warm place where the two maned lions had been surprised 

 in their sleep at fifty paces by the Askari. In fact the bushes 

 had scarcely ceased shaking at the places where the beasts had 

 vanished in the thicket. That wretched scrawling business ! The 

 reader must forgive me if my hunting ardour conquered the 



