CEAP TER XX1TV 
BHOOTA’S LAST SH/KAR 
Lone after I had retired to rest that night I lay 
awake listening to roar answering roar in every 
direction round our camp, and realised that we were 
indeed in the midst of a favourite haunt of the king 
of beasts. It is one thing to hear a lion in captivity, 
when one knows he is safe behind iron bars; but 
quite another to listen to him when he is ramping 
around in the vicinity of one’s fragile tent, which 
with a single blow he could tear to pieces. Still, 
all this roaring was of good omen for the next 
day’s sport. 
According to our over-night arrangement, we 
were up betimes in the morning, but as there was a 
great deal of work to be done before we could get 
away, it was quite midday before we made ready to 
start. I ought to mention before going further that 
as a rule Spooner declined my company on shooting 
trips, as he was convinced that I should get 
