CHAPTER XVII 
CAMPING AT EL BOGOI 
A vexatious disablement—A drastic cure—Man-eating lions—Juma’s lion story—A 
diary under difficulties—Predatory lions scared—Loss of pack-animals—Pre¬ 
cautionary measures—Setting a bait—A tragic scuffle—An exciting moment— 
A magician’s failure—Cheering prospects—A novel excuse—The lions’ den— 
An effectual trap—My treacherous gun—The last of the besiegers—A joyful 
moment—Anticipation and realisation—Methods of setting gun-traps. 
We had reached El Bogoi on 3rd June, and on the 6th 
Abdulla left with the bulk of the men for Mthara, a few only 
remaining with me, together with all the donkeys (except two 
or three which he had taken). I was waiting for Lesiat to 
bring me news as to whether any elephants could be heard of 
in any of the country round about, he having promised to send 
out messengers for the purpose of obtaining information. But 
hardly had the caravan left, than my right hand became 
inflamed and swollen and extremely painful. I had got a 
thorn in it one night when putting wood on my fire just before 
our arrival here ; and whether it was that there was anything 
poisonous about that particular thorn or the needle with which 
it was extracted, or what the cause was, I could not tell, but in 
a few days it became so bad that I did not know what to do 
with it. Thorns and scratches are such a matter of course in 
one’s hands when hunting, that I never took any notice of 
them nor ever felt any ill consequences from their attentions ; 
in this case, however, something in the nature of blood- 
poisoning ensued, resulting in my having the most frightful 
