FOREWORD 
Ir was some seven or eight years ago that | 
first read, in the pages of Zhe Fze/d newspaper, a 
brief account written by Col. J. H. Patterson, then 
an engineer engaged on the construction of the 
Uganda Railway, of the Tsavo man-eating lions. | 
My own long experience of African hunting told 
me at once that every word in this thrilling narrative 
was absolutely true. Nay more: I knew that the 
author had told his story in a most modest manner, 
laying but little stress on the dangers he had run 
when sitting up at nights to try and compass the 
death of the terrible man-eaters, especially on that 
one occasion when whilst watching from a very light 
scaffolding, supported only by four rickety poles, he 
was himself stalked by one of the dread beasts. 
Fortunately he did not lose his nerve, and suc- 
ceeded in shooting the lion, just when it was on the 
point of springing upon him. But had this lion 
approached him from behind, | think it would pro- 
