32 
In the Heart of Africa 
During the last two nights our signals had been heard, and the 
caravan had found us in our hour of need.” 
Meanwhile Wintgens, Schubotz and I had utilised the time 
of our stay opposite Mount Ndama, and the weeks occupied by 
Kirschstein and Weiss in their work, to investigate the unex¬ 
plored region from all quarters. On one occasion this led us in a 
south-easterly direction, almost to northern Kissaka. We noticed 
everywhere immense herds of game, which, as usual, consisted 
mainly of zebras, elands, lyre-antelopes, and reed-bucks. Equine 
antelopes were only visible during one excursion to the south-east. 
Lions were enormously abundant, more so than in any other 
portion of German territory. The only district in which we 
encountered similar conditions was in the Congo State at the 
south end of Lake Albert Edward. I might here relate one of 
our experiences: 
Wintgens and I returned to the tent one noonday after a 
successful excursion, hungry and ready for a well-earned meal. 
Suddenly our zoologist rushed in with news of a troop of six 
lions, seen whilst he was returning to camp. During the pursuit 
the animals, almost invisible amongst the tall grass, permitted 
him at intervals to approach within a few steps and then fled 
roaring. As the high grass completely covered the beasts, he 
was only able to get in a shot at the head of one of the males. 
The lions then trotted away, and, keeping up a steady pursuit, he 
saw them disappear in a thicket of dense acanthus. 
His story at first excited our incredulity. His imagination 
appeared to have been strongly stimulated by reports from our 
followers, who, as is well known, are fond of “ living up to ” and 
anticipating their master’s wishes. As, however, our hunting 
instincts were roused by the story, we decided upon driving the 
scrub. Eighty carriers, on whose faces doubt and disbelief were 
plainly visible, started immediately, andj accompanied by five 
Askari, arrived at the thicket in question. We sent off the bearers 
to the opposite side of the acanthus, a distance of some three 
hundred metres away, to act as a screen, and posted the Askari 
on the wings. All our followers were ordered to shout and yell, 
