The Eastern Congo 



It is possible also that young lions are more prone to 

 disease than vegetable-feeding animals. That the lioness, 

 like all the cat tribe, is a good and affectionate mother is 

 proved by the following experience. 



Some years ago I had my tent pitched in a small village 

 in Nyasaland, and during the night was awakened by the low 

 moaning grunts of a lion, which continued until the early 

 hours of the morning. At the time I thought the sounds 

 unusual for a lion, being so low toned and mournful. In 

 fact, until I went outside my tent to listen more attentively 

 they seemed to come from a distance, but it was evident, 

 by the indrawn breath being distinctly audible, that they 

 were uttered close at hand. 



Early next morning, having just left the vicinity of the 

 village and entering a well-worn track made by elephants 

 when raiding the native gardens, I ran right into a big lion 

 round a bend in the path. He gave me no time to even 

 raise my rifle, but catching sight of me gave a great bound 

 that landed him in one instant completely out of sight in the 

 long grass. Shortly after I heard a growl from the opposite 

 side of the track which betokened a second lion. 



I returned to the village and, collecting my porters and a 

 few volunteers, organised a drive, which however was un- 

 successful. After the drive and when returning to camp, 

 I followed a narrow trail in the bush which on examination 

 proved to be a well-worn lion path, and which brought me to 

 a deep pit-fall made by the natives for trapping antelope 

 feeding in their gardens. This pit was less than one hundred 

 yards from the village, and I was astonished to find that 

 another track led me beyond the pit up to a certain hut in 

 the village. The ground in proximity to the pit was flattened 



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