Our Lights Extinguished 151 



lose its skin is very wise ; but to follow it at night 

 when it is perhaps still alive and maddened by 

 its wound, is risking your own skin. It is even 

 madness. 



We have taken thus an hour to cover about two 

 hundred yards. I shall always remember what 

 happened at that moment. In the glare of a light 

 I have just explored all the surroundings without 

 seeing anything, when we hear before us a distinct 

 growl which changes almost immediately into a 

 terrible hoarse roaring as though the beast which 

 made it is choking, but a roar of rage which gives 

 warning of the spring, attack, and vengeance of a 

 maddened animal. Every one understands that so 

 well that in a moment everybody vanishes. The 

 torch -bearers scamper away, the lights go out and 

 leave us in darkness, and the most complete silence 

 reigns save for the hiccups of the lion, indistinct 

 noises, and moans, the crackling of shrubs and leaves 

 barely fifty yards away. Then the moon sets, leaving 

 everything in darkness. 



At the time of the panic-terror natural on the 

 part of beings who, like us, cannot see at night I run 

 a few yards to the left, fearing the animal's pursuit ; 

 then, hearing nothing more, crouch down very low, 

 rifle in hand, in such a way that if anything ap- 

 proaches I shall see it against the sky. It is then 

 that I hear the lion groan, first of all on my right 

 and then in front of me, but as though it is making 

 off instead of drawing near. I give a low whistle, 

 which is answered by a similar one, and a black mass 



