28 THE MAN-EATERS OF TSAVO CH. n 



bad fright. This same man, however, met with a 

 melancholy fate not long afterwards. He had been 

 to the Kilima N 'jaro district to buy cattle, and on 

 the return journey attempted to take a short cut 

 across country to the railway, but perished miserably 

 of thirst on the way. 



On another occasion fourteen coolies who slept 

 together in a large tent were one night awakened by a 

 lion suddenly jumping on to the tent and breaking 

 through it. The brute landed with one claw on a 

 coolie's shoulder, which was badly torn ; but instead 

 of seizing the man himself, in his hurry he grabbed 

 a large bag of rice which happened to be lying in the 

 tent, and made off with it, dropping it in disgust 

 some little distance away when he realised his 

 mistake. 



These, however, were only the earlier efforts of 

 the man-eaters. Later on, as will be seen, nothing 

 flurried or frightened them in the least, and except 

 as food they showed a complete contempt for human 

 beings. Having once marked down a victim, they 

 would allow nothing to deter them from securing 

 him, whether he were protected by a thick fence, or 

 inside a closed tent, or sitting round a brightly 

 burning fire. Shots, shouting and firebrands they 

 alike held in derision. 



