FIRST GLIMPSE OF A WILD LION 
85 
Hartebeests in droves loped awkwardly away from 
the trail and then turned and looked with wonder¬ 
ing interest at us. Zebras, too fat to run, trotted 
off, and also turned to observe the invaders. Ga¬ 
zelles did the same, and away off in the distance a 
few wildebeests went galloping slowly to a safe 
distance. They were probably safe at any distance 
had they only known it, for up to the hour when I 
cantered forth from Nairobi in quest of lions and 
rhinos I had not shot at anything for three years, 
nor hit anything for ten. 
Night came on—the black, sudden night of 
Africa—and we went into camp four miles from 
Nairobi without ever having heard the welcome roar 
of a lion. It was a distinct disappointment. I re¬ 
membered the story about the lions that stampeded 
the zebras through the peaceful gardens of Nairobi 
only a few nights before—also the report that some 
man-eaters had been recently partaking of nourish¬ 
ment along the very road upon which we were now 
camping. I also remembered hearing that lions 
had been seen prowling around the edge of the 
town and that the Athi Plains are a time-honored 
habitat of the lion family. On the other hand, I 
thought of Mr. Roosevelt, who had recently been 
reducing the supply. I also remembered how many 
hunters had spent years in Africa without ever see¬ 
ing a lion, and how Doctor Rainsford had made two 
different hunting trips to Africa, always looking 
for lions, but without success. 
During our first three days of marching, we 
