ix THE LION 185 



beast, and knowing that the dense covert of nabbuk (Rhamnus 

 Lotus) close by was a great resort of lions, I determined to leave 

 the carcase for the night in the spot where it was then lying. 



On the following morning I revisited the place with two of my 

 excellent Tokrooris ; we found many fresh footprints of lions in 

 the sandy soil, and a broad trace about 4 feet wide, where the 

 body had been dragged away. This had apparently been effected 

 by more than one lion, as the footprints varied in size. 



There was a vast mass of dense green nabbuk growing parallel 

 with the banks of the river. This was an opaque screen of thorny 

 foliage, covering an area of about 200 yards in width, but extend- 

 ing for a great distance. The nabbuk tree bears a small apple the 

 size of a nutmeg, rather sweet, and pleasant to the taste ; but the 

 tangled mass, when growing upon the sandy loam near water, is 

 absolutely impenetrable to a human being. Into this secure retreat 

 the lions had crept, forming dark tunnels about 3^ or 4 feet high, 

 for some unknown distance. 



The trace of the dragged buffalo led direct to the entrance of 

 one of these obscure tunnels, and there could be no doubt that the 

 carcase was within, and the lions not far distant. I have frequently 

 looked back to absurdities that have been scathelessly committed ; 

 among these on more than one occasion I have foolishly ventured 

 upon the exploration of a lion's retreat. With two of my Tokrooris 

 following with spare rifles (all muzzle-loaders) I crept upon hands 

 and knees into the dark tunnel, upon the trace of the dragged 

 buffalo. A light double-barrelled '577 was my companion. 



After a few yards the tunnel became much narrowed, and was 

 hardly more than 3 feet 6 inches in height. The bush (evergreen) 

 was so dense that it was very dark, and I could not see any tracks 

 of lions upon the ground over which I crept ; cautiously advancing, 

 with both barrels upon full cock. About 70 yards had been 

 passed in this manner when I distinctly smelt the heavy odour of 

 raw flesh and offal. I looked behind me, and my two men were 

 keeping well together. There could be no doubt that the carcase 

 of the buffalo was not far off, and it was highly probable that the 

 lions would be in forcible possession. We crept forward with 

 extreme caution. The faint and disagreeable smell increased, and 

 was almost insupportable. I presently heard the cracking of a 

 bone, and there could be no doubt that the lions were close at 

 hand. I once more looked round to see if my men were coming 

 on : they were both close up. We crept noiselessly forward for a 

 few yards, and suddenly a dark object appeared to block the 

 tunnel ; in another moment I distinguished the grand head and 



