154 After Big Game in Central Africa 



survivors continued to beat the vicinity of the plain ; 

 but we did not meet them any more, in spite of 

 another night-watch which I organised near a buffalo 

 which they had killed and partly eaten ; for two 

 nights they prowled around the carcase, but either 

 because we let ourselves be scented, or did not 

 hide ourselves well enough, they did not draw near 

 to it. Doubtless there was another reason for their 

 distrust, for I have observed that nothing pre- 

 vents a lion drinking or eating if it feels the 

 need. It was amid rather curious circumstances 

 that I discovered this buffalo's body. 



One morning four or five days after the death of 

 the lion we see some vultures describing circles 

 in the sky an indication that they have found 

 an animal or its remains. As it does not take us out 

 of our way, we go to see the object of their desire, 

 and without making a noise reach a very bushy spot 

 surrounded by trees, upon which other vultures are 

 already sitting. Something, doubtless, prevents these 

 birds from settling on their prey. Knowing that we 

 may meet large carnivora unexpectedly, we advance 

 with great precaution, rifle cocked and finger on 

 trigger, stretching our necks to try to discover the 

 animal or its remains, which lie in a clearing there. 

 . . . There is a low roar, a rustling in the shrubs, 

 and we hear animals making off. . . . Upon approach- 

 ing we discover a buffalo, the abdomen of which has 

 been emptied, and the thighs partly devoured. Three 

 lions, the spoor of which we find, were occupied in 

 feasting when the slight noise of our advance frightened 



