"M'bali kidogo" (" A little distance "), came
the stereotyped reply.
I immediately had a good look round for
Brock, but could see no sign of him, so, in case the
"many" lions should get away in the meantime,
I told the Masai to lead the way, and off we
started.
As usual, the m'bali kidogo proved a good
distance - over two miles in this case. Indeed,
I began to get impatient at the long tramp, and
called out to the Masai to know where his lions
were; but he vouchsafed me no answer and
continued to walk steadily on, casting keen glances
ahead. After a little I again asked, "Where are
the lions?" This time he extended his spear
in a most dramatic manner, and pointing to a
clump of trees just ahead, exclaimed: "Look,
Master; there are the lions." I looked, and
at once caught sight of a lioness trotting off
behind the bushes. I also saw some suspicious-looking
thing at the foot of one of the big trees,
but came to the conclusion that it was only a
growth of some kind projecting from the trunk.
I was soon to be undeceived, however, for as
I started to run towards the trees in order to
cut off the fast disappearing lioness from a stretch
of rushes for which she was making, a low and
sinister growl made me look closer at the object
which had first aroused my suspicions. To my
surprise and delight I saw that it was the head
of a huge black-maned lion peering out from
behind the trunk of the tree, which completely
hid his body. I pulled up short and stared at
him. Although he was not seventy yards away
from me, yet owing to the nature of the
background it was very difficult to make him out,
especially as he kept his head perfectly still,
gazing steadily at me. It was only when the
great mouth opened in an angry snarl that I
could see plainly what he really was. For a few
seconds we stood thus and looked at each other;
then he growled again and made off after the
lioness. As I could not get a fair shot at him
from where I stood, I ran with all my might
for a point of vantage from which I might have
a better chance of bagging him as he passed.
Now by this time I had almost got beyond
the surprise stage where lions were concerned;
yet I must admit that I was thoroughly startled
and brought to a full stop in the middle of my
race by seeing no less than four more lionesses
jump up from the covert which the lion had just
left. In the twinkling of an eye three of them
had disappeared after their lord in long, low
bounds, but the fourth stood broadside on,
looking, not at me, but at my followers, who by this
time were grouped together and talking and
gesticulating excitedly.
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