FROM MOMBASA TO THE WILDERNESS . 
67 
JOY IN FIRST LION HUNT. 
Both father and son were jubilant. It was their first lion hunt and 
so magnificent a kill was far beyond their expectations, but lions had 
been plentiful in the hills for the last month, and the English hunter, 
F. C. Selous, had been out for several days laying plans for their extinc¬ 
tion. How well he succeeded can be seen from the results of the chase. 
Mr. Selous accompanied the former President, who also was attended 
by the usual retinue of beaters. As a rule the beaters go into the jungle 
with considerable trepidation, but as Mr Roosevelt’s reputation as a 
hunter had reached there long before he arrived in person the beaters 
on this occasion were exceptionally enthusiastic. They seemed ever 
eager to play a part in the first hunt of the distinguished American. 
The caravan started early Thursday morning from the ranch of Sir 
Alfred Pease on the Athi Eiver and proceeded slowly to 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 especial incident, no attempt 
being made to go after lions, although their call was heard now and 
then during the night, but at dawn the camp was astir and the drive 
speedily organized. 
‘ TEN KINDS OF GAME BAGGED. 
The native beaters set out in all directions under the instruction of 
the “head man,” armed with ail sorts of noisemaking devices, which 
could not but arouse any game within earshot. Some of the beats 
proved blanks, but by nightfall no less than ten kinds of game had been 
bagged. 
Kermit during the greater part of the day did more effective work 
with his camera than he did with his gun, he and the other members of 
the party allowing Mr. Roosevelt the much prized shots. 
Details of the actual shooting were not brought down to Nairobi at 
once from the camp, but it was declared that in each case a single bullet 
from the ex-President’s rifle sufficed to bring down his lion. From this 
it is regarded that Mr. Roosevelt is living up to the reputation which he 
has gained in Africa of being a crack shot. All the lions were of normal 
