152 ROOSEVELT’S EXPERIENCE IN THE JUNGLE. 
paration and of the climate change. Their indisposition was not 
serious. 
The Colonel shot a couple of bucks during the day, but they 
were not particularly good specimens. However, he got real satis¬ 
faction from hearing lions roaring all through the night, a promise 
of better sport to come, and he did not chafe at the enforced delay 
as much as might be expected from a man of his temperament. 
The fact that all hands must be fully acclimatized was being 
more and more impressed on everyone, as only in that manner 
could their arduous program be carried out. 
ANTICIPATIONS TO SOON REACH FULFILMENT. 
But the intrepid Roosevelt could not long remain inactive. 
Hardly waiting for the first effect of the African lassitude to wear 
off, he was eagerly planning for the great feat over which he had 
dreamed for years. 
He wanted to kill a lion! 
None bur the most majestic beast of the jungle would satisfy 
him. 
To slay a lion he was determined, and his restless spirit could 
not brook delay, especially as he lay in bed and heard the deep 
booming roar of the king of beasts as it rang out on the air, night 
after night. 
He was counselled to go slow and to test his aim first on game 
where a miss would be less disastrous, but to no avail. 
“Now is as good as any time,’' he would reply. “Bring on your 
lions!” 
Accordingly, the party soon was hurried into motion. 
The caravan started early Thursday morning from the ranch 
of Sir Alfred Pease and proceeded slowly in the Mau Hills. This 
range is open for wide areas, but in places is covered with dense 
growths, where game is plentiful. 
The first night in camp was without special incident, no 
attempt being made to go after lions, although their call was heard 
now and then during the course of the night, but at dawn the camp 
was astir, and the drive speedily organized. 
