In an Awkward Predicament 127 



food and water ; and while the men were conversing 

 in low tones we heard outside the distinct and regular 

 blows of the hatchet upon the tree trunk. Our honey- 

 gatherers had almost finished their work when all of 



o 



us heard noises, about which a trained ear could not 

 have the slightest doubt they were made by lions. 

 . . . There were four or five of them. We heard them 

 distinctly walking in the dry leaves with which the 

 ground was strewn. Sometimes they exchanged low, 

 deep mews in various tones ; at others, roars peculiar 

 to them, by which, I believe, they communicate with 

 one another. 



Almost at the same time my men outside made the 

 recognised signal to us by whistling. Looking at the 

 arms rack (a forked stick driven into the ground), I 

 saw that they had taken only one rifle with them, and 

 this they had probably left at the foot of the tree 

 while they climbed into it. " Return ! " I shouted to 

 them. " Impossible : they surround us." " Then re- 

 main in the tree." But they shouted that they were 

 going to fall, that the branch was slipping. 1 Then we 

 must not hesitate a moment longer. Out we go ! I 

 gave the straw torches to a bearer while Tambarika 

 and I, our rifles ready, left the camp, our way lit up 

 from behind. The night was as black as pitch, and 

 we did not distinguish the trees until upon them. 

 Lions prowled around us, and one of them roared 

 within alarming proximity ; but we could not see 

 them ; we heard them walking in the leaves on all 



1 Blacks simply lean a branch against a tree, and climb on the top 

 of it with the assistance of their hands. 



