172 
In the Heart of Africa 
in about an hour’s time, under the conduct of Raven. Suddenly 
we heard shots in the distance, and, jumping up, we made out 
Raven and Weidemann, accompanied by two Askari, climbing 
down the opposite side of the ravine with their guns in readiness, 
some 300 metres from where we lay. I snatched up my gun 
and rushed to the scene. 
“ What’s the matter ? ” 
“ Lions!” 
“Where?” 
“In the gorge.” 
“ How many ? ” 
“Three; here are their tracks. One is wounded, for there’s 
blood here.” 
I signed to three Askari and we occupied the edge of the 
ravine on our side to prevent the beasts escaping. As further 
search proved useless for the time being, we decided to continue 
it in the afternoon, and set up camp scarcely 400 metres north 
of the edge of the ravine. Unfortunately I was obliged to forgo 
further participation in the hunt as some very pressing corre¬ 
spondence confined me to the tent. In any case, I entertained 
no further hope of success; I did not think for a moment that 
it was possible for the two unhurt lions to be still in the vicinity. 
But I was mistaken; for hardly were the two Askari whom I 
had sent to spy out the land and bring back any news, out of 
sight, than one of them, the Masai, Abdullah, came flying back 
making signs in the distance. Now or never! Pen and paper 
were thrown aside. Jamming my hat on my head, I snatched 
up my rifle and loaded as I ran. In the meantime Abdullah had 
reached me. “ Quick, quick, bana ; there are two big lions lying 
there and sleeping, karihu sana —quite close.” 
Two minutes later I examined the perfectly fresh tracks and 
the warm place where the two maned lions had been surprised 
in their sleep at fifty paces by the Askari. In fact the bushes 
had scarcely ceased shaking at the places where the beasts had 
vanished in the thicket. That wretched scrawling business! The 
reader must forgive me if my hunting ardour conquered the 
