THOUSANDS OF ZEBRAS AND ANTELOPES 11 



' Bedue brought back the news that there was no water in the 

 district he had explored, but that there were plenty of wild 

 animals, so the next morning I led my men along a low spur of 

 the Leikipia plateau in an easterly direction towards Lake 

 Baringo, and camped in a beautiful meadow on the banks of 

 the dried-up bed of the Mogodeni stream, sending for water to 

 Lake Baringo, which was now not one hour's march off. On 

 the shores of the lake roamed thousands of zebras and Beisa 

 antelopes, but as there was not a scrap of cover anywhere, it 

 was hopeless to attempt to get near enough for a shot. I 

 therefore now bore to the east where there were a few clumps 

 of bush and tall grass. The first game I brought down was a 

 rhinoceros, which I shot in the shoulder 

 and then, as it swerved round, in the 

 spine. We came next to a thicket 

 where we surprised two kudu ante- 

 lopes, but unfortunately they got off. 

 These animals are comparatively rare, 

 so I was after them directly through 

 thick and thin, only pausing when I horns of the 



. ALCELAPHUS KAAMA. 



came suddenly to a little clearing where 



a pleasant surprise awaited me. One lion and two lionesses 

 were just opposite to me, one of the latter lying down, the 

 other two sitting on their haunches. They gazed at me in 

 motionless astonishment long enough for me to fire. I did so, 

 wounding one of the lionesses. There was a terrible roar, and 

 when the smoke cleared away they were all gone. Cautiously 

 we followed the blood-spoor, the high grass and bush making 

 it difficult and dangerous. I had just warned my people to 

 be careful when we came upon the wounded lioness crouching 

 ready for a spring. I fired at her, hitting her in the head, she 

 recoiled, and then went slowly off. Another shot in the flesh 

 brought her down, but she still tore at the ground with her 



