252 TWO DIANAS IN SOMALILAND 



The imperturbable Clarence did nothing, and let 

 the yellow one pass him. Cecily was not now so 

 placed that she could get in a successful shot. Two 

 lions, and both gone ! No koodoo left to attract 

 anything save hyaenas and jackals. When I asked 

 our shikari why on earth he had let slip so wonderful 

 a chance he was quite calm and said : " Mem-sahib 

 shoot dar lion. I no shoot dar lion." Evidently he 

 meant to be very magnanimous and refrain from 

 poaching on our preserves in the laudable desire to 

 see we got our money's worth. 



It was now getting dusk, and ominous dark corners 

 told us night had cast her mantle athwart the trees. 

 I ordered a hunter to cut off the head of the mal- 

 treated lesser koodoo, for the sake of the horns, a 

 very easily acquired trophy, but one very well worth 

 having. The head was not eaten at all, for as I have 

 explained it is the habit of lions to begin at the other end. 



Then we tried to get out of the place. We took 

 some tosses over thorn and bramble, and disturbed 

 the guinea fowl as they settled to roost in rows on the 

 branches. I upset the equilibrium of a hornbill and 

 his wife, who flapped and croaked their annoyance at 

 me. Before we were clear of the oasis, night had 

 settled down in inky blackness, and then Clarence 

 led us by the hand. I believe he saw in the dark like 

 a cat. He brought us safe and sound to the sandy 

 waste that rimmed the green garden, and once there 

 camp was easily reached. 



All through the night the lions roared, and we 

 could distinguish the difference in the voice of the 



