To Lake Albert Edward 
171 
visit. The steppe is intersected longitudinally by a broad, 
deep ravine, at the bottom of which flows a shallow watercourse. 
This brook is overrun by a palm thicket, and is a favourite haunt 
of beasts of prey, particularly lions and leopards. It was there 
that we proposed to fix our headquarters. 
Long-sustained roarings, disturbing the nocturnal peace, 
raised hopes in Veriter’s and my own breast that some of the 
beasts might be visible when we tramped through the dewy 
grass at daybreak. And we soon had the good fortune to have 
our expectations realised. As the red disc of the sun shot 
out its first rays to greet us, I saw the dark form of an immense 
male lion slouching through the grass straight ahead of me, 
the tips of the great mane and the line of the back showing 
up strongly against the light. Having stalked him for some 
distance, it was not difficult to bring him down. At the first 
shot he wheeled round growling; at the second he lurched 
sideways and fell into the grass. Whilst inspecting the spoil, 
casually raising our eyes to the west we saw the beginning of 
a violent eruption of Namlagira. The column of smoke, wonder¬ 
fully illuminated by the morning light, worked its way upward 
in massive rolling clouds, and, widening out as it rose, was 
dispersed in ever-increasing circles. 
This single hour made amends for many a hunting failure. 
To have shot a lion whilst in view of an active volcano! Not 
many persons have had such an experience. To attain the victory 
over the mightiest beast of prey with the mightiest spectacle 
which Nature can offer as witness—was there ever such luck? 
Having skinned our prize, we proceeded further in the direc¬ 
tion of the ravine, and took no further notice of the numerous 
game all around us. 
This gorge proved to be one of considerable difficulty for a 
caravan to cross, and we had to construct a special road. A 
steep path was struck through the brushwood to the bottom, 
and was made passable for the load carriers in the swampy 
places by heaping up palm branches. This work finished, we 
lay down to a well-earned rest, expecting the caravan to arrive 
