A LION HUNT 61 



tree, and there were collected his wives and followers with 

 cattle, donkeys, and goats. 



Jose and two of the boys, whom he had trained to help 

 him, got quickly to work, skinning the lion. After this 

 operation was finished, all the " boys," who had meanwhile 

 been impatiently sharpening their knives, made a great rush 

 for the carcase and a fierce battle ensued for the possession 

 of the heart, which natives all believe will bestow the courage 

 of the lion on the man who eats it. John the cook, no doubt 

 owing to his expert use of the knife and a deeper knowledge 

 of animal anatomy that he had gleaned in the pursuit of his 

 profession, was easily victor, securing all save a little corner 

 of the heart. But, conscious that his own courage needed 

 no stiffening, he nobly withstood the temptation of surfeiting 

 himself on the heroic food, but cunningly dried the heart and, 

 cherishing it all through the journey to the Nile, took it 

 home with him to nourish and make stout the heart of his 

 little son. 



Afterwards the meat was cut up and divided among 

 the " boys " and John was busy ripping off the fat to make 

 into cooking grease. I, too, felt that I ought to pay 

 some sort of respect to the remains, so ordered lion 

 chops for dinner. But I did not think that they had 

 turned out a very great success, for he who proved such 

 a tough customer in life, in death did not belie his 

 reputation. 



That night there were extra fires in the " boys' " camp 

 and much eating and merriment that continued until 

 a late hour, and when finally the " boys " fell asleep around 

 the fires, the embers did not leap up into flames at 



