BEYOND THE HILLS 263 



Now you look out the opeDing again; the hyenas 

 have redoubled their efforts and you conclude they 

 are the most gluttonous animals in all creation, but 

 they know the Hon is near, so are trying to gulp down 

 all the meat possible before the time of their departure. 

 As you watch, they suddenly stiffen, then with one 

 final bite slink away into the darkness. Now all is 

 still for awhile until you hear the heavy tread of the 

 lion as he stealthily circles your boma. You wish that 

 you could see him, but it is too dark, so you Usten as 

 he stalks around you — once, twice, three times. 

 Then your boy whispers, "There are three hons, 

 bwana," but you think to yourself that his imagina- 

 tion is playing tricks with him, because you have heard 

 only one. You keep your face to the peephole, 

 your eyes focused on the dimly outHned carcass, and 

 suddenly a heavy body hurtles through the air and 

 lands with a mighty thud on the other side of the 

 dead zebra I The king of the jungle has arrived I He 

 is facing you; his big yellow eyes are fixed on the 

 opening; his tail is lashing slowly from side to side. 

 Fascinated you watch him — then two Honesses stalk 

 out and he down beside the zebra, and after a casual 

 glance in your direction they leave the matter of your 

 presence entirely to the male and commence to eat. 

 If you are a real sportsman you watch them until 

 they have completed their meal, and then you will 

 allow them to return to the jungle unharmed. 



No one can have a more thriUing, more memorable 

 experience than to wait in a boma for the Lord of the 

 Donga. Some people brag of having shot Hons under 

 these conditions, but they certainly cannot claim 

 the title of a true sportsman, and it is to be regretted 



