96 AFRICA SPEAKS 



and snarling. They were a little bit hungry this morn- 

 ing, but I was used to them and paid no attention. 

 This was White's first experience with wild Hons, how- 

 ever, and here they were so close that you could have 

 reached out and pulled their tails. I suggested this 

 possibility, but he didn't think much of the idea. 



While we sat there watching these huge cats as they 

 fought over the meat and tore it away in great chunks, 

 White's gun bearer sat as if petrified. He had seen 

 Hons before but had never been within fifteen feet of 

 a whole group, and after awhile pushed a heavy rifle 

 into his master's hands, at which my boy laughed, for 

 he knew that I seldom touched a gun while in the bhnd. 

 The fact is there was Kttle room in which to use a 

 rifle. By the time it could be swung into position to 

 shoot, either the danger would be past or all need 

 for the said rifle. During this time one of the lionesses 

 made several trips to the lens opening, coming to within 

 six feet where she stood on her tiptoes and leaned 

 forward to look us right in the eyes. I don't know 

 whether this gave White a thrill or not, but I didn't 

 particularly approve of her actions myself, especially 

 once when she came up with a little rush, growhng 

 while she switched her tail to and fro over her back. 



A Httle later, after the lionesses had left the meat, 

 two males came along and furnished us with a real 

 thrill. The first to arrive was one we caUed the Bach- 

 elor, because he never ran with the troop, but would 

 wait until the family had fed and then take his share. 

 He made a majestic entrance, then after looking around 

 carefuUy, started to feed. Just then another male 

 strolled up and the two big brutes stood over the kill 

 eying each other. When one would try to take a 



