126 After Big Game in Central Africa 



all animals of medium size, but also the lion itself. 1 

 They wage terrible battles, in which the lion suc- 

 cumbs to number, though not without having ripped 

 open some of the enemy. But the survivors in their 

 turn soon tear it. Consequently, the large ravenous 

 beast has a salutary terror of them. 2 



One twilight evening after an elephant hunt which 

 we had abandoned, my men and I found ourselves 

 in an unknown and uninhabited region. Fauna, con- 

 sequently, were abundant. Near a pool of water 

 w r here we had decided to camp were many spoor 

 of lions. I was too tired to try a night-watch ; in 

 spite of all the lions of the earth, I should certainly 

 have fallen asleep. So, in a few minutes, we made with 

 a hatchet a small entrenchment, inside which we got 

 ready to pass the night ; a camp smaller than that 

 which I have already described that is, a stockade and 

 a rustic door (for there were only eight of us). While 

 cutting branches and trees my men perceived a bees' 

 nest fifty yards from the camp. As these insects 

 are much less enterprising at night, the natives prefer 

 to await that time to dislodge them, and take posses- 

 sion of their honey without suffering too much from 

 stings. When the camp was established (night had 

 come, and the fires were lit) Rodzani, Tchigallo, and 

 Msiambiri took dry straw and firebrands, and went 

 out to gather in the coveted booty. I had remained 

 at the camp with Tambarika and the two bearers of 



1 I believe even that the wolf is the only enemy of the lion. 



2 There is, therefore, only the buffalo, rhinoceros, and elephant which 

 have not to fear it. 



