WAITING AT NIGHT FOR A LION. 173 



apparently directing his steps. To reach it we were 

 obliged to wade through some shallow water, and 

 directly afterwards had to crouch in a part of the damp 

 river-bed which was sheltered from the moon, upon hear- 

 ing that the lion was approaching us. After the fatigue 

 of a long day under a scorching sun, this under ordinary 

 circumstances would have been rather a severe trial 

 for the health ; but momentarily expecting the appear- 

 ance on the scene of a lion, which is only concealed by 

 a thick bush within ten yards of you, just makes all the 

 difference, and so it was with us. Concealed under this 

 bush he remained, though kindly informing us of his 

 presence every few minutes by a very fine roar, that re- 

 sounded amongst the low hills, and was almost too close 

 to be pleasant. On each side of the bush there was a 

 path down the bank, and as we felt sure he would come 

 to the pool by one or other, we each guarded one, whilst 

 remaining so quiet, with our men close behind, us, that 

 we hardly dared to breathe for fear of disturbing his 

 plans. Stir, however, he would not from his snug retreat 

 until at last when, from our remaining so long in our 

 cramped position, he might have had an easy victory the 

 moon brought the seance to a close, by rising over our 

 heads and bringing us fully into view, and immediately 

 afterwards the roar of a retreating lion told us that we also 

 might return home. Retracing our steps, we were quite 

 of opinion that there were more pleasant occupations 



