-+> By the Stream 



were several others in close proximity. They had 

 gradually surrounded their prey and approached it from 

 different sides. 



The illustration in which a lion and lioness are making 

 an attack together was unluckily spoilt by myself whilst 

 " developing," but it was put all right at home. In the 

 desert after many months a laconic telegram reached me 

 from home with the word " Saved ! " 



There may seem to be something gruesome about 

 sacrificing oxen and donkeys in this way ; but they 

 would otherwise fall victims probably to the tsetse fly a 

 horribly painful death ; whereas lions kill very quickly and 

 surely ; they just give one bite in the neck, and do not 

 torture their prey. I can vouch for this myself from 

 having witnessed the sight repeatedly from my thorny 

 hiding-place. Death was instantaneous in every case ; and 

 so stealthily does the lion creep up to its prey that it is 

 only at the last moment that the latter tries to break away. 



Deep stillness lies over the velt, in the dark night \. 

 a gentle rustling is heard now and again in the thick 

 foliage and branches. Suddenly a roaring, mighty some- 

 thing strikes the ear and a heavy thud follows as the prey 

 is captured. There are never more than a few scratches 

 to be found on the booty ; a crunching bite in the neck 

 is always the cause of death. Many men killed in this 

 manner have never even uttered a cry. Many other 

 witnesses bear me out in this. 



It is impossible to describe the joy with which we 

 watched, some nights later, the forms of the great world 

 of booty and rapine appear truly and accurately mirrored 



137 



