66 THE MAN-EATERS OF TSAVO CHAP. 



was discovered forcing its way through the boma. 

 The alarm was at once given, and sticks, stones and 

 firebrands were hurled in the direction of the 

 intruder. All was of no avail, however, for the 

 lion burst into the midst of the terrified group, 

 seized an unfortunate wretch amid the cries and 

 shrieks of his companions, and dragged him off 

 through the thick thorn fence. He was joined 

 outside by the second lion, and so daring had the 

 two brutes become that they did not trouble to carry 

 their victim any further away, but devoured him 

 within thirty yards of the tent where he had been 

 seized. Although several shots were fired in their 

 direction by the jemadar of the gang to which the 

 coolie belonged, they took no notice of these and 

 did not attempt to move until their horrible meal 

 was finished. The few scattered fragments that 

 remained of the body I would not allow to be 

 buried at once, hoping that the lions would return 

 to the spot the following night ; and on the chance 

 of this I took up my station at nightfall in a con- 

 venient tree. Nothing occurred to break the 

 monotony of my watch, however, except that I had 

 a visit from a hysena, and the next morning I 

 learned that the lions had attacked another camp 

 about two miles from Tsavo for by this time the 

 camps were again scattered, as I had works in 

 progress all up and down the line. There the 



