vii DISTRICT OFFICER'S NARROW ESCAPE 79 



cutting, when one of the lions suddenly jumped 

 down upon them from the high bank, knocking 

 Whitehead over like a ninepin, and tearing his back 

 in the manner I had seen. Fortunately, however, 

 he had his carbine with him, and instantly fired. 

 The flash and the loud report must have dazed the 



WHITEHEAD ON A TROLLEY AT THE EXACT SPOT WHERE THE LION 

 JUMPED UPON HIM. 



lion for a second or two, enabling Whitehead to 

 disengage himself; but the next instant the brute 

 pounced like lightning on the unfortunate Abdullah, 

 with whom he at once made off. All that the poor 

 fellow could say was: "Eh, Bwana, simba" ("Oh, 

 Master, a lion "). As the lion was dragging him over 

 the bank, Whitehead fired again, but without effect, 



