Once or twice a month Dad took several of the students and went out to hunt for meat for the tribes and for us. He invited a new missionary to join him since the fellow was a self-professed excellent hunter. The fellow was ecstatic at the chance to show off his skills and his knowledge.
As they loaded the flatbed truck with their equipment, Dad placed his rifle and elephant gun in the rack behind the cab and holstered his handgun.
“Is that all you’re taking to hunt with?” The man asked in disbelief. “Fire power is the most important thing!”
He, in turn loaded several guns into the rack, explaining each as he did. Dad waited patiently, making appropriate responses trying to keep a straight face.
Finally, they were off. It was mid dry season, the grass tall, tasseled and golden yellow. They stopped in the shade of a banyan tree and got out.
“Why here?” Asked the fellow.
“There’s a watering hole about three hundred yards from here. The gazelles, antelope and zebra come to it. Elephants, too. That’s why we stay back here in the shade and roots of the Banyan. Also, should we need a quick escape, it’s easy to scale. Tonight, its wide, flat branches will make good beds. However, the lions and leopards use them, too, so we must keep a watch out.”
With binoculars at the ready they settled to wait for the arrival of the evening gathering of animals. After some time, one of the students spoke softly. Dad glanced his way, picking up his rifle. The student pointed to an area behind their tree.
Dad and the new fellow moved very quietly around the tree, studying the grass for movement. Dad spotted a pair of ears first about 50 yards out, and pointed. The fellow raised his gun and was about to fire.
“Wait!” Dad whispered.
“Why? It’s a deer! I’ll get it!” The fellow began to move toward the ears.
“It’s not a deer! Wait!”
But the fellow was already halfway out when the animal stood up - a magnificent male lion.
With a cry of sheer terror, the fellow dropped his gun and bolted for the back of the flatbed, almost clearing the back gate in one leap.
Well, he did clear it. Only his trousers didn’t!
When the students – and Dad - were able to control their laughter, Dad checked on the new missionary.
“You all right, mate?
”
“Uh, yeah.” Sheepishly. “Why didn’t you warn me?”
“I tried, but you weren’t going to listen.” With a sigh. “If you’re not hurt, we’ll get moving now.”
“Why? I thought we were staying the night here.”
“The lion wants his tree.”
“The lion wants his tree?” The sarcasm dripped. “Seriously?”
“Emm.” Dad pointed to the lion who was now surrounded by his pride.
An early picture of Dad in Sudan
A combination of native dress plus a rifle.The round shield is woven from river reeds and grass.
A rear paddle steamer so heavily laden that it sits only inches above the water as seen below.
Tribal dress
