THE LION TAKES COVER 



enough, hugged the cover, whilst it was our object 

 to force him into the open. He was certainly not out 

 to be photographed, and when I did get a chance a 

 Masai would dash in front of my lens. These things 

 will happen. So it went on for several minutes, the 

 lion giving out those awful blood-curdling roars, the 

 spearmen showing their tense excitement. Suddenly 

 the brute made up his mind to bolt. There was a 

 wild dash, a streak of dull yellow on my left, and he was 

 off to take cover in a small dried-up stream-bed full of 

 bushes a matter of eighty yards away. He had to pass 

 my camera-boy and dog. For a second he paused 

 within twelve yards to have a look, and then went on. 

 I could not make this out, but on getting up to the boy 

 I found he was wild with excitement and so was the 

 dog. Killinjui had tied Simba to his leg, and when she 

 could not go for the lion she promptly set about the 

 boy and bit his leg in her excitement. The lion 

 had by now gained the cover of the little donga 

 overgrown with small bush. We were on plain ground. 

 Practically speaking, we had to begin over again. Some 

 of the carriers were sent for and stones were hurled 

 into the bushes with shouts and yells, but without effect. 

 The Masai warriors were now raging, as it appeared we 

 had lost both lions. I suggested to Cole we should 

 let my terrier loose to see if she could irritate the beast 

 into showing himself. I was anxious no harm should 

 j come to her when the spears began to fly, so Cole 



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