196 
A COLONY IN THE MAKING 
CHAP. 
knowledge how a lion entered a first-class carriage and 
abstracted an inmate who was lying in wait to demolish 
the beast himself. The story reads like a romance, 
but is absolutely authentic. To me the greatest 
wonder is how the lion sprang through the small 
square window of the carriage as he did, bearing his 
prey. Again all recollect the various Babu station- 
masters who have wired from time to time : “ Lion on 
platform, me in ticket office, please wire instructions,” 
or “ please arrange.” Lions are still a great feature 
and may occasionally be seen from the train. Indeed, 
when a boat train brings its load of tourists, shooters 
and settlers, it is usual for a crowd of towzled figures, 
male and female, to discuss at the early breakfast stop 
the herd of lions which they saw browsing under the 
trees at early dawn. 
The older hand generally points out that it is a 
curious fact that, whereas it is the rule rather than the 
exception for the newcomer to see lots of lions on his 
first trip up, those who live in the country do not see 
one once in a hundred journeys. To this the tourist 
retorts with heat: “ That is because you Colonials are 
sunk in sluggish slumber at lion time.” 
It is, of course, a matter for regret that the railway 
happened to hit off so few of the richest agricultural 
portions of the Protectorate. When the line was built 
there was no idea that there could ever be created a 
white colony in the heart of Africa. As far as one can 
judge, the idea was solely to connect Uganda, the 
fertility of which country had already been grasped, 
with the sea. Consequently, to take the shortest and 
eaisest route was the main object in view. In any 
case, it is certain that a very small proportion of the 
richest and most fertile districts is touched ; which 
