TWO DIANAS IN SOMALILAND 163 



of jungle. The men volunteered to beat, but I was 

 set against this ; so we wandered about on the edge of 

 this natural zareba awaiting developments, my heart in 

 my mouth the whole time. Intrepid Cecily was all for 

 penetrating the thorn, and at last came on a place she 

 could at least peer into. There was not a sound nor 

 rustle, nor crackle of twig. Then Clarence, in evil 

 minute, suggested firing the place, and under Cecily's 

 directions at once set about the business with his fire 

 stick. I had often tried to acquire the knack of sum- 

 moning the spirit of flame thus, but had long since 

 given it up as an accomplishment impossible for me 

 to learn. 



The thorn was damp and took some time to ignite, 

 but in half an hour the blaze got a fair start and simply 

 ate up all before it. We had to back farther and 

 farther away each moment. Volumes of smoke rolled 

 away to the northward, and the heat grew insufferable. 

 It had been about as much as we could stand before we 

 began operations. The flames roared away, licking up 

 every trace of vegetation. I was so surprised no small 

 affrighted animals broke cover, but this was explained 

 to my wondering mind a moment later, when, to my 

 amazement, a tawny lioness sprang from the burning 

 bush and, terror-stricken, passed close to me — so close 

 almost I could have touched her. I ran straight to my 

 waiting pony held by my syce at some distance, 

 mounted, and calling to a couple of men to follow, 

 galloped on the track of the lioness. Occasionally I 

 caught glimpses of her as she cantered between the 

 low-lying bushes. Then she disappeared suddenly and 



