GOOD-BYE SERGOIT 255 



was sitting with the rest when one of his black crew came 

 running up to say that a snake was swimming round the 

 stern of the ship. Captain- looked over the side 



and saw a big python that had probably been washed 

 out of its near by swampy retreat by the prevailing heavy 

 rains, trying to make a landing somewhere. The planking 

 of the pier and the side of the steamer were too much for 

 it, but making its way round the ship, it came to the ladder 

 which was down to the water's edge on the offside, and 

 began to crawl up the sloping steps at once. A great 

 snake crawling on shipboard! Was such a thing even 

 in Africa possible ? There were plenty of guns to 

 hand and the men standing there knew how to use them, 

 but each looked at the other and no one cared to be the 

 first to make a move. The Captain took in the situation 

 and with his smooth bore shot its head off, to the immense 

 relief of some of his companions. The python measured 

 sixteen feet four inches. 



The lion when possible conceals his kill carefully. 

 If thick bushes are near he often succeeds in hiding it long 

 enough for even the vulture's eye to permit of his satisfying 

 his appetite a second time. 



The roar of a lion is, as everyone knows, a much debated 

 point. Some will have it that the historic sound is one 

 but very seldom heard. When the Jewish poet of long 

 ago wrote, "The lions roaring after their prey do seek 

 their meat from God," he used a term it seems to me that 

 suited well what he meant to describe. In many places 

 at once, and often all night long, you can hear it in East 

 Africa. Then again in a land full of lion, you will not 

 hear it at all. 



I saw twenty-seven lions in five days once, on the 

 Nzoia. During those days and for several before and 

 after them no lion called within earshot of camp. I also 

 found two lairs in daily use quite close to that camp. 



