214 LIFE WITH THE HAMRAN ARABS. 



evident, in fact, that Mohamed and Vivian were ahead 

 of us, tracking a lion in the path ours joined. Still 

 Essafi persisted in going forward, pointing out that there 

 were the fresh tracks of two lions, and after some time 

 had elapsed we heard a double report, and immediately 

 afterwards caught up with our friends, whom we found 

 resting under a tree, whilst a dying lion lay stretched 

 out under another about twenty yards off, where Vivian 

 found him asleep ; and though he never rose after the 

 first shot, Vivian gave him a second as a precautionary 

 measure. This has been by far the most satisfactory 

 hunt for a lion we have had, for tracking them as a rule 

 is quite a hopeless proceeding. If this was the one we 

 were originally tracking, Essafi's opinion that he was 

 hungry was well supported by the fact of his having re- 

 cently fed on a porcupine, from want probably of some- 

 thing better, and for this he paid the penalty of getting 

 one quill stuck in his neck, and numerous small pieces 

 in his front paws. It is a very fine lion, though rather 

 deficient in mane. Continuing in the track of the second 

 lion was soon put an end to by the arrival of Jali and 

 his horsemen on their way home. He looked fatter and 

 more hearty than ever, and reported their only having 

 killed three elephants, as his advanced party had done, 

 and we allowed him to remain in ignorance of the recent 

 pressing claims of the Base upon them. The new moon 

 was seen to-night for the first time, and our men have 



