82 AFRICA SPEAKS 



then went off with the kill, leaving the angry lioness 

 watching us from the grass. About half a mile from 

 the starting point I looked back through the glasses 

 and saw her following us, wliich gave me an idea, so 

 we pulled the carcass to a lone tree away out on the 

 veldt and there anchored it. 



Early the next morning we neared the spot and, al- 

 though we hoped to find the Koness there, what we 

 did see more than surprised the lot of us, for there, in 

 the tree's shade, were not one but six hons. Approach- 

 ing to within about a hundred yards, I began to grind 

 out film as if these were the only hons left in Africa, 

 while Mike gmd Bud stood with their rifles ready for 

 action. The lions looked as big as horses to me and 

 the first scenes were taken with a telephoto lens. As 

 we approached closer I don't mind admitting I was 

 somewhat nervous and kept glancing toward the two 

 riflemen to see what effect it was having on them. 

 They didn't seem to think any more about it than if 

 they were waiting for a flock of ducks, and I couldn't 

 understand how they could be so caUous. After a 

 while we got closer, then stiU closer until within thirty 

 yards, but the Hons were none too friendly, often 

 growhng toward us which made it necessary to keep 

 close watch with rifles ready. We spent the whole 

 day with them and went back to camp weU satisfied. 



Next day found us back, and from that time on, 

 with the exception of a few days when weather pre- 

 vented, we visited with these hons for several weeks. 

 Each day we thought that notliing else of interest 

 could be found for the camera to take, but always 

 during the next visit they would put on something 

 new for us, something we never knew lions could do. 



