go THE MAN-EATERS OF TSAVO CHAP. 
described when about midnight suddenly something 
came flop and struck me on the back of the head. 
For a moment I| was so terrified that I nearly fell off 
the plank, as I thought that the lion had sprung on 
me from behind. Regaining my senses in a second or 
two, I realised that I had been hit by nothing more 
formidable than an owl, which had doubtless mis- 
taken me for the branch of a tree—not a very 
alarming thing to happen in ordinary circumstances, 
I admit, but coming at the time it did, it almost 
paralysed me. The involuntary start which I could 
not help giving was immediately answered by a 
sinister growl from below. 
After this I again kept as still as I could, though 
absolutely trembling with excitement; and in a 
short while I heard the lion begin to creep stealthily 
towards me. I could barely make out his form as 
he crouched among the whitish undergrowth ; but I 
saw enough for my purpose, and before he could 
come any nearer, I took careful aim and pulled the 
trigger. The sound of the shot was at once followed 
by a most terrific roar, and then I could hear him 
leaping about in all directions. I was no longer able 
to see him, however, as his first bound had taken 
him into the thick bush; but to make assurance 
doubly sure, I kept blazing away in the direction in 
which I heard him plunging about. At length came 
a series of mighty groans, gradually subsiding into 
deep sighs, and finally ceasing altogether ; and I felt 
s 
