Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-19

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I
who had laid eyes NlUV
white men. 1t my watch. iii NV
l sat with my back against iii
tree kept awake by the mourn I'LL
full shrieks of hyenas in the 1l
distance and the heavy lowing VIII n IN
of lions on their nightly rambles WM1 ~
along the river My rifle lay H.
across my knees 4 IT,
NV four donkeys the faithful
little animals that had brought
the packs all the way from Va&I
johannesburg, across seven hum Jtlente-
dred miles of ve1dt and bush 3SoohtSes tSk
country, stood close to the thick ", E#swA
brush wall which y ~
PEELED to construct every
ing protection against
midnight callers; and here, too,
crouched Christopher Columbus,
the dog. In the Pickering light
of the campfire could that
every time night voice of the
Jungle rose he shook with fear.
A few feet from me, sleeping
peacefully in his blanket, was the Kafr boy whom
1 had picked up in Bulawayo, and whom l had
named Fifteen because of his suggestion of fifteen
shlings month when 1 asked him what pay he
would want for accompanying me on this dangerous
journey through the wilderness.
At short intervals put more wood upon the fire,
chief safeguard against the lions. The deep
throated music of the latter grew louder the night
drew on, and then died away. The silence broken
now only by distant jungle calls, ominous. The
donkeys began to tremble their instinct telling
them that big beasts were stealthily drawing
With my finger on the trigger OF my rifle, strained
camp, and in few moments saw two glowing
yellow spots in the blackness beyond the freight.
These were joined by two more, and then two
more Behind them | could family discern crouching
bodies threatening shadows in the night.
Softly called Fifteen. Lie still for moment,
/ commanded when he had opened his eyes. There
will jump for you. They blinded by the fire,
but creeping closer Get to the tree behind you,
and be ready to climb.
Not an Instant to Be Lost
FIFTEEN carefully raised himself to sitting pos
ture, but made no move toward the tree. With
the fire between and them, | kept my eyes and
my rifle the yellow balls that pierced the darkness,
and, though fixed and staring seemed to be growing
bigger. | had my rifle at my shoulder. 1t seemed
high time to fire into these evil spots of yellow; but
/ delayed still to press the trigger greatly fearing
that my bullets might not kill, which would mean
that the lions, enraged by pain, would surely leap
upon But they were apparently about to do this
without the sting of lead. massive head appeared
within the dim reach of the freight, and behind
could family discern the 1.-THE body and swayng
tail Not an instant was to be lost My finger
tightening the trigger, when Fifteen jumped to
his feet with Kafr yell.
He seized from the fire blazing stick, and hurled
it behind me, to my right. l glanced around, just
in time to fourth lion that had stolen to
give fantastic backward leap and bound away.
Then Fifteen caught up big branch that was
burning vigorously, and ran in sort of frenzy
toward ho the Ef beasts in front They drew quickly
torch with both hands above his head, waving it,
and shouting excitedly in his Kafir tongue. limo
cent of clothing, with his weapon of licking flames
his leaping body and distorted features seemed,
in the encompassng darkness of the bush, those of
grotesque fend. The lions would have of this
blazing appartion They hastily took themselves
away and did not return, although waited for
them patiently, with firebrands ready. The
half-lght OF damp dawn on the jungle when
/ lay down to get sleep.
We ate our MONDAY meal in this camp, and then,
over rough and bushy ground, proceeded on our