Preparing to Fire 145 



they are defending themselves. The men in the tree 

 have no firearms. 



Another hoot is heard, and again I carefully 

 examine the surroundings. Changing my position, 

 I peer through the left - hand side outlook, then 

 through that at the back, but without success. I 

 return to my post. At the first glance the zebra 

 seems to me to be larger than it was a few moments 

 before : one would say that it was raising its head. 

 The poor animal being stone dead, I tell myself that 

 something new has happened : in fact, my glass shows 

 me that an object is at its side. But what is it ? I 

 cannot distinguish. After all, what does it matter ? 

 If it be a hyena, nothing is to be done ; if a lion, there 

 is no need to hurry. 



A gentle wind springs up from the left, and a few 

 clouds obscure the moon from time to time, I make out 

 plainly the animal which is on the zebra the upper 

 part of its body is above the carcase, we see its head 

 and shoulders, but it is impossible to say w T hat it is. 

 My men are unable to use the field-glass, and by its 

 aid I see the object better than they do. 



The motionless animal is soon accompanied by a 

 companion. There is no doubt that they are looking 

 in our direction, probably puzzled by this eminence, 

 which they have not noticed before. One of them 

 leaves the zebra, and walks towards us with head on 

 high and the whole of its body visible. . . . There is no 

 deceiving oneself this time : they are really lions. 



Hastily putting down my field-glass, and cocking 

 my two triggers, I lower my barrel slowly. At this 



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