Sporting Trips of a Subaltern 



the day, our three horsemen joining in, after 

 which we had a pull at our water-bottles and 

 proceeded to skin lion No. 3, then, riding back 

 to his wives, performed a like office for them 

 in turn. The return journey by the karia was 

 a veritable triumph. Spots and his three pals 

 galloped furiously in circles with their "tobes" 

 streaming in the wind, waving spears, and singing 

 extemporary songs. Arrived at the karia, we all 

 drank camels' milk, and I proposed the health of 

 the old lady, whose information had been so useful, 

 in suitable terms, which nobody understood, but 

 which Spots, who seemed to think I was doing 

 quite the correct thing, translated I am afraid 

 rather freely, as the old thing looked very coy and 

 fled to the karia amid roars of laughter from the 

 bystanders. We reached camp at about 11.30 

 a.m., having been gone just about four hours; 

 and only those who have killed three lions before 

 that time in the morning can appreciate the 

 feelings with which I sat down to breakfast. I 

 wonder if Spots ever thinks of that red-letter 

 morning ? He was a capital fellow, bolder by far 

 than a lion, and a good sportsman all round. 

 He had three wives, all looted from neighbouring 

 tribes, whose raison d'etre was to look after his 

 numerous camels, all obtained in like manner. 

 In fact, looting, I fear, may some day be his 

 undoing. 



128 



