To Lake Albert Edward 173 
interests of science at that moment. Three lions ought to have 
been recorded in our shooting book on November the 14th! 
The next morning quite fresh tracks were recognised in the 
wet grass in this memorable ravine, which we, of course, followed 
up. After three hours’ stalking we sighted the quarry at 200 
paces, although the tall grass gave only very fleeting glimpses 
of the beast. I levelled and aimed, but could not fire as he 
kept diving down into the grass. As he appeared to be escaping 
altogether, I fired at last, trusting to luck, and—missed! 
I was, however, more fortunate the next day. We had found 
by experience that the rapacious creatures were in the habit of 
visiting the ravine at early dawn, after their nocturnal prowls. 
The place fell away in terrace formations from the east, and 
as it was chiefly from that direction that we heard the roaring 
at night, we took up our position to the east of the ravine. 
Raven, Veriter and I spread out, the Askari between us and 
within sight. As the country in front of us could be overlooked 
far and wide, no animal could enter or leave the gorge without 
being observed. Further, a particular signal was agreed upon 
with the Askari, so that in case of a lion being sighted the 
nearest marksman could be apprised without delay. I had not 
waited long at my post at the right end of the deep gorge 
before I heard the deep growl which had become so familiar 
to me, at first in the distance, then growing nearer. I decided 
to climb through the gorge and, if possible, advance to meet 
the lion. I had hardly reached the other side when a repeated 
roaring advised me of the right direction, although it was seven 
o’clock and quite light. Suddenly I saw my fine fellow trotting 
along through the grass about 300 metres in front of me. I 
ran towards him as fast as my legs would carry me, accompanied 
only by my boy, Almas. This manoeuvre succeeded. The lion 
also started running, and as I caught sight of the upper half 
of his body, I potted him at 120 paces, causing him to reel 
to the side for a pace or so, snarling irascibly. I then fired 
another shot at his rear, which must have penetrated him nearly 
longitudinally. Badly wounded and almost breaking down. 
