9 o THE MAN-EATERS OF TSAVO CHAP. 



described when about midnight suddenly something 

 came flop and struck me on the back of the head. 

 For a moment I was so terrified that I nearly fell off 

 the plank, as I thought that the lion had sprung on 

 me from behind. Regaining my senses in a second or 

 two, I realised that I had been hit by nothing more 

 formidable than an owl, which had doubtless mis- 

 taken me for the branch of a tree not a very 

 alarming thing to happen in ordinary circumstances, 

 I admit, but coming at the time it did, it almost 

 paralysed me. The involuntary start which I could 

 not help giving was immediately answered by a 

 sinister growl from below. 



After this I again kept as still as I could, though 

 absolutely trembling with excitement ; and in a 

 short while I heard the lion begin to creep stealthily 

 towards me. I could barely make out his form as 

 he crouched among the whitish undergrowth ; but I 

 saw enough for my purpose, and before he could 

 come any nearer, I took careful aim and pulled the 

 trigger. The sound of the shot was at once followed 

 by a most terrific roar, and then I could hear him 

 leaping about in all directions. I was no longer able 

 to see him, however, as his first bound had taken 

 him into the thick bush ; but to make assurance 

 doubly sure, I kept blazing away in the direction in 

 which I heard him plunging about. At length came 

 a series of mighty groans, gradually subsiding into 

 deep sighs, and finally ceasing altogether ; and I felt 



