An Unlucky Night 183 



Two days afterwards, when at the north pool, I 

 meet with the most terribly bad luck which I have 

 ever known. Lions come twice ; and the first time I 

 miss two of them, shot after shot, the second time 

 once more. Having seen three lions at the pool 

 in one night, I return to the camp thoroughly 

 beaten. Was not this the fault of the projector ? I 

 thought to have remedied the defect already pointed 

 out, but the place upon which the luminous centre 

 is brought to bear continues not to accord with that 

 of the line of sight. Resorting to another ex- 

 pedient, I separate the projector from the rifle and 

 attach it to a stick, which one of my men will hold. 

 Henceforth it is he who will direct the flood of light 

 on to the animal by following its movements, so that 

 I shall be able to take aim at my ease. This im- 

 provement was very satisfactory : why did I not 

 think of it sooner ? 



Out of the three lions, I believe, I have wounded 

 only one, and that very slightly. The two others 

 will return surely, but when ? And where shall we 

 meet again ? How many nights will be necessary 

 to make up for this lost opportunity ? 



A week slips by still with alternatives of dis- 

 couragement and hope, but without the least success. 

 At this time an attack of fever forces me to take two 

 or three days' rest at the camp. We are, I repeat, 

 a few yards away from the edge of a pool, and 

 leeward of it, sheltered by a clump of large bushy 

 trees whose shade makes us decide to establish our- 

 selves here. Around is an abatis of branches and 



