FIRST GLIMPSE OF A WILD LION 85 



Hartebeests in droves loped awkwardly away from 

 the trail and then turned and looked with wonder- 

 ing interest at us. Zebras, too fat to run, trotted 

 off, and also turned to observe the invaders. Ga- 

 zelles did the same, and away off in the distance a 

 few wildebeests went galloping slowly to a safe 

 distance. They were probably safe at any distance 

 had they only known it, for up to the hour when I 

 cantered forth from Nairobi in quest of lions and 

 rhinos I had not shot at anything for three years, 

 nor hit anything for ten. 



Night came on the black, sudden night of 

 Africa and we went into camp four miles from 

 Nairobi without ever having heard the welcome roar 

 of a lion. It was a distinct disappointment. I re- 

 membered the story about the lions that stampeded 

 the zebras through the peaceful gardens of Nairobi 

 only a few nights before also the report that some 

 man-eaters had been recently partaking of nourish- 

 ment along the very road upon which we were now 

 camping. I also remembered hearing that lions 

 had been seen prowling around the edge of the 

 town and that the Athi Plains are a time-honored 

 habitat of the lion family. On the other hand, I 

 thought of Mr. Roosevelt, who had recently been 

 reducing the supply. I also remembered how many 

 hunters had spent years in Africa without ever see- 

 ing a lion, and how Doctor Rainsf ord had made two 

 different hunting trips to Africa, always looking 

 for lions, but without success. 



During our first three days of marching, we 



