1 88 After Big Game in Central Africa 



right of our hiding-place. The distance is from 

 ten to twelve yards, the side of the pool about a 

 yard high and preceded by a gentle slope from the 

 water. Assisted by the ear, the eye distinguishes 

 dimly the wild beasts' coats, which stand out and 

 pass before surrounding objects, but we guess rather 

 than see them. . . . They walk at the water's edge 

 and at last stop. . . . Immediately the " Koom I 

 koom ! koom ! " . . . with intervals between, begins. 

 ..." Now is the time, hunters ; let us try to do 

 better work than the other day. Attention ! . . . 



Tambarika holds the projector, which he directs 

 towards the animals ; Msiambiri has his finger on the 

 switch; and I point my Express with its two luminous 

 sights ... I mutter a quick order, and the ray of 

 light flashes out and strikes the astonished animals. 

 ... I do not . lose a moment in looking at them 

 while they raise their heads towards this improvised 

 moonlight ; I aim at the first I see. ... I aim at its 

 shoulder-blades, which form, in its crouching position, 

 two humps on its back. . . . Fire ! . . . The other 

 lion makes off by climbing the bank, followed step 

 by step by the reflector. . . . Bravo, Tambarika ! . . . 

 I fire at its shoulder and it falls back again. ... I 

 fire once more ... it rolls over with a growl, a 

 harsh and continuous roar. ... At last it rises, 

 jumps on the bank, and disappears, roaring this time 

 with all its force. . . . 



Its companion is mortally wounded ; its head dips 

 in the water, and it has fallen over on its side. As I 

 cover it with my reloaded rifle its limbs give a final 



