WITH FLASH-LIGHT AND RIFLE 



— for instance, in the valley of the Rufu River — are 

 maneless. 



My doubts regarding the possible number of lions in 

 this neighborhood were now removed, and two hours 

 before sunset I again left the camp to provide our 

 kitchen with game. I had pretty good luck, killing sev- 

 eral Thomson antelopes. Stalking a buck, I had left 

 my native companion far behind me, when suddenly I 

 heard again that now familiar warning growl. Looking 

 in the direction whence it came, I saw first one, then a 

 second, then a third and a fourth Hon, all males, the 

 nearest not farther away than one hundred and twenty- 

 five paces. This time my " nerve " forsook me. I slowly 

 retreated, but stopped short when the nearest lion fol- 

 lowed in dangerously long leaps. When I halted he, too, 

 checked himself, crouching on the ground. I stood thus 

 for ten minutes, the nervous tension becoming intense. 

 My only hope of escape lay in the speedy arrival of my 

 men — above all, my rifle-bearers. At last I heard their 

 voices, first distant, then nearer and nearer. When they 

 saw me and realized my plight, they stopped and began 

 to tremble for their own hves. My faithful " Baruti' 

 Boy" alone dared to come up to me, bringing with him 

 my reserve rifle. The four Hons, growling and snarhng, 

 standing out from the ground in the light of the setting 

 sun, were a sight, awe-inspiring and yet fascinating be- 

 yond comparison. 



Since the lions were not scared by the presence of 



216 



