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 jacka’s .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 
