CRAP A ER WEIS 
THE DEATH OF THE FIRST MAN-EATER 
A pay or two after the departure of my allies, 
as I was leaving my édoma soon after dawn on 
December 9, I saw a Swahili running excitedly 
towards me, shouting out ‘ Szwba/ Szmba!” (Lion! 
Lion!”), and every now and again looking behind 
him as he ran. On questioning him I found that 
the lions had tried to snatch a man from the camp 
by the river, but being foiled in this had seized 
and killed one of the donkeys, and were at that 
moment busy devouring it not far off. Now was 
my chance ! 
I rushed for the heavy rifle which Farquhar had 
kindly left with me for use in case an opportunity 
such as this should arise, and, led by the Swahili, | 
started most carefully to stalk the lions, who, | 
devoutly hoped, were confining their attention 
strictly to their meal. I was getting on splendidly, 
and could just make out the outline of one of them 
through the dense bush, when unfortunately my 
