* Night-Shoots 



move on terra fir ma ; the acutest ear could not have 

 detected their approach. 



The vague outlines of a small animal, probably a 

 jackal, rise not long afterwards from the ground near 

 the water ; and after some time a mournful yelp in the 

 same direction confirms my conjecture. . . . Evidently 

 the anticipated antelope-herd has found out another 

 drinking-place this evening. . . . Hours go by, broken 

 only by the sound of the ox, imperturbably chewing its 

 grass. . . . Suddenly it snorts twice very quickly, as if 

 terrified ; a big grey object darts at it quick as an arrow, 

 with a loud clatter, and ox and lion for that is what 

 it is are rolling together before my eyes next minute in 

 a cloud of dust ! 



I have an idea that another lion has, from the other 

 side, joined in the brief tussle. Then there is a rattling 

 and a groaning . . . the ox is lying on the ground, 

 and over it are the two beasts of prey, which instantly 

 begin their meal. But, as if a wizard were meddling with 

 the affair, the moon now darkens over suddenly. All is 

 darkness ; and the only sound is the cracking of bones, 

 the tearing and rending of flesh between teeth. 



The stillness of the night still reigns all around. 

 Untroubled by the drama being played out down here, 

 a galago breaks out again, yelling and laughing. What 

 does he care, safe in the shelter of his tree-tops, for 

 the struggle on the ground ! Mosquitoes, humming and 

 buzzing, are besieging me now ; their stings become 

 unbearable. The lions proceed with their meal undis- 

 turbed. I am possessed by a peculiar complication of 



633 



