xxiv BHOOTA'S LAST SHIKJR 271 



nothing to obstruct wheeled traffic. Once started, 

 we rattled over the smooth expanse at a good rate, 

 and on the way bagged a hartebeeste and a couple 

 of gazelle, as fresh meat was badly needed in camp ; 

 besides, they offered most tempting shots, for they 

 stood stock-still gazing at us, struck no doubt by 

 the npvel appearance of our conveyance. Next we 

 came upon a herd of wildebeeste, and here we 

 allowed Bhoota, who was a wary shikari and an old 

 servant of Spooner's, to stalk a solitary bull. He 

 was highly pleased at this favour, and did the job 

 admirably. 



At last we reached the spot where I had seen the 

 t\vo lions on the previous day a slight hollow, 

 covered with long grass ; but there was now no 

 trace of them to be discovered, so we moved further 

 on and had another good beat round. After some 

 little time the excitement began by our spying the 

 black-tipped ears of a lioness projecting above the 

 grass, and the next moment a very fine lion arose 

 from beside her and gave us a full view of his grand 

 head and mane. After staring fixedly at us in an 

 inquiring sort of way as we slowly advanced upon 

 them, they both turned and slowly trotted off, the 

 lion stopping every now and again to gaze round in 

 our direction. Very imposing and majestic he looked, 

 too, as he thus turned his great shaggy head 

 defiantly towards us, and Spooner had to admit 



