A FIGHT TO THE DEATH 



At this time I saw another Hon which had been 

 disturbed by the commotion. I was rushing forward 

 with the camera and tripod on my shoulder to overtake 

 the Masai, thinking as they did that it was the first 

 brute that had gone on, when I heard a terrifying 

 growl proceeding from a small patch of bush on my 

 right, and there on the edge of it within six yards of me 

 was the lion, tail swishing over his back, mouth half 

 open, growling and crouching ready to spring. My 

 sensations at the moment are more easily imagined 

 than described. I stood like a statue. Cole galloped 

 past me on horseback, shouting : " Look out, Kearton, 

 he's in front of you!" I knew this by then. The 

 lion followed him with his eyes, and I backed some 

 nine yards, then jammed the legs of the tripod into 

 the ground and prepared to turn the handle. Out 

 of the corner of my eye I saw the Masai rushing up, 

 and a couple of spears were hurled in the air, landing 

 in the bush where the lion was with the desired effect. 

 Instantly he charged towards me, and the fight of a 

 lifetime took place right in front of my camera, and 

 only fifteen yards away. 



The roaring was most terrifying. The lion quickly 

 put two Masai warriors out of action. But he could 

 not last ; yet when the end appeared to have come 

 and he was down he suddenly rose and made another 

 great effort, charged again (as is often the case with 

 lions, and has been the means of bringing more than 



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