Night- Watch for Lions 123 



of the ground (everywhere were ditches, crevasses, 

 hyena and ant-eater burrows, and wild-boars' holes) ; 

 then because of the density of the vegetation, which 

 would have prevented a quick pace, the low branches, 

 roots on a level with the ground, etc. ; and, finally, 

 the prevalence of the tsetse fly. 1 Without uselessly 

 exposing the dogs to the bite of the tsetse by taking 

 them with me into infected places, I could have 

 wished to count at least on their help in case 

 of need, and then for important and dangerous 

 searches I should have sent for them to the camp. 



I had been in possession of my dogs for nearly 

 three months, and I had great hopes of them, when 

 the time at which the season is at its driest 

 came. 



As soon as water is very scarce I profit by it as 

 I have said above in speaking of the seasons to lie 

 in watch for animals, preferably at night. Furnished 

 with my electric projector, I take up a position on 

 the edge of a pool with my back to a tree, to leeward 

 if possible, and a little higher than the surface of 

 the water. Then I wait for the animals to come. 

 One night, the tenth which I had passed in that 

 manner, two lions came to drink ; but, the projector 

 working badly, I was unable to fire with ease, and at 

 the risk of placing my men and myself in the most 

 dangerous position, I managed only to wound 

 both animals. In the morning the first was found 

 dead fifty yards from the pool ; the second had de- 

 camped after losing much blood. I sent immediately 



1 See Mes Grandes Chasses, pp. 29, 30, 31, etc. 



