88 After Big Game in Central Africa 



shape of a horse-shoe, at the toe of which I shall 

 place myself; and that, should the lion be found 

 to be in the middle, they must join the two branches 

 of the horse-shoe to close the opening, and turn away 

 from me so as to allow the animal an exit in the 

 middle of which I shall alone be stationed. I advise 

 them, also, only to fire in case of legitimate defence, 

 and above all when nobody is in front of them. 



This being well understood, we proceed to the 

 place where the animal is supposed to be : in fact, we 

 recognise tracks there. Then the men silently spread 

 themselves out as has been arranged, around the bed 

 of reeds. Ten tom-toms which the chief has thought 

 well to add, which prudently keep behind the beaters, 

 along whose line they are scattered, beat with re- 

 doubled blows. 



The first ten minutes pass without event; but 

 the men on the left soon cry out, and we understand 

 that the animal has been seen. As it is said to be 

 going forward that is, in the same direction as our- 

 selves I stop them for a moment, and, leaving my 

 post, run rapidly outside the line of men to the 

 opening of the horse-shoe in order to see the animal, 

 if it continues to advance. I make the beaters close 

 up. My men, scattered among the natives, make 

 them carry out my orders ; Tambarika alone 

 accompanies me. Up to the present all is well. 

 At a certain spot the reeds are overhung by lianas 

 and large trees, with the result that everybody is 

 in the midst of dense vegetation : we are in semi- 

 darkness, and it is at this very moment that the 



