Lion-bait 



that poor beast by legs, tail, ears, and even the 

 skin. At least a dozen of my twenty boys were 

 mixed up in the fray, and by their combined 

 efforts the donkey was on terra firma once more, 

 and on the desired side of the stream. I was so 

 sorry for her and for her evident distress at 

 leaving her foal that I sent her back with two 

 of my boys to Umtali, where she arrived in due 

 course. She travelled as gaily as possible on her 

 homeward track, and was going surprisingly fast 

 when I lost sight of her. Donkeys are an excel- 

 lent bait for lions, for these beasts are extremely 

 partial to them, and will dare a great deal to 

 obtain their favourite food. I had meant to 

 build a " scherm " or hut of stakes, put the 

 donkey within, and sit up myself to look after 

 her, and at the same time any lions who might 

 attempt to get a meal cheaply. My plans, 

 however, were frustrated by the donkey herself, 

 who would have none of me or my schemes. 



99 



