WILD LIFE ACROSS THE WORLD 



lion. As soon as word passed that the lion had been 

 discovered orders were given for the safari's halt. 

 Then the SomaHs went off at full speed to prevent the 

 animal from getting to thick cover. The excitement 

 was intense, and it took Cole all his time to restrain 

 the Masai. They had been waiting so long that 

 they were wild to rush in, regardless of the fact that 

 by so doing they might spoil the whole thing. It 

 is not easy to argue with the heathen in his madness. 

 He sees a lion, and very sensibly he looks on that lion 

 as something which ought to be killed. The idea of 

 a kinematograph film does not make the least appeal 

 to him. Probably he would be quite ready to spear 

 the operator in the excitement as well. At first it 

 seemed our Somalis would be successful. The Masai 

 thought so. Every moment their eyes grew brighter, 

 the grip on their spears more tense. Then it was 

 obvious the lion realised the danger in which he was 

 placed. There was a patch of wooded country where 

 he could take cover, and it was for that he headed. 



The Somalis did their utmost to cut him off, and to 

 keep him in the open so as to give the spearmen — and 

 the man with the camera — their opportunities. 



Really it was one of the finest thrills I have ever 

 experienced. We stood there rigid, watching the 

 drama below. If the lion could be kept in the open 

 I should have my great chance, if not . . . The lion 

 gained a little ground, a few score yards, and we 



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