There was a dry crackling of flames, and before we could count ten a deep growl came from somewhere in front of me, evidently on one of the edges of the creek bed.

The second gunbearer was the first to locate him, and he signaled for me to come over on his side of the creek.

In a moment I had dashed down and had climbed out on the other side and was eagerly gazing at a clump of bushes indicated by the Kikuyu.

At first I could distinguish nothing, but soon I saw the tawny flanks and the lashing tail of the lion.

His head was hidden by the bushes.