I
Would Gladly Have Taken Him With Me, Indeed, But
He Had A Bad Cough, And I Was Afraid Lest He
Should Make Any Involuntary Noise Or Movement
Which Might Spoil All.
Darkness fell almost
immediately, and everything became extraordinarily
still.
The silence of an African jungle on a dark
night needs to be experienced to be realised;
it is most impressive, especially when one is
absolutely alone and isolated from one's fellow
creatures, as I was then. The solitude and
stillness, and the purpose of my vigil, all had
their effect on me, and from a condition of strained
expectancy I gradually fell into a dreamy mood
which harmonised well with my surroundings.
Suddenly I was startled out of my reverie by
the snapping of a twig: and, straining my ears
for a further sound, I fancied I could hear the
rustling of a large body forcing its way through
the bush. "The man-eater," I thought to
myself; "surely to-night my luck will change
and I shall bag one of the brutes." Profound
silence again succeeded; I sat on my eyrie like
a statue, every nerve tense with excitement.
Very soon, however, all doubt as to the presence
of the lion was dispelled. A deep long-drawn
sigh - sure sign of hunger - came up from the
bushes, and the rustling commenced again as he
cautiously advanced. In a moment or two a
sudden stop, followed by an angry growl, told
me that my presence had been noticed; and I
began to fear that disappointment awaited me
once more.
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