Rambles in Lion Land: Three Months' Leave Passed in Somaliland (1898)
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Rambles in Lion Land: Three Months' Leave Passed in Somaliland (1898)
Francis Barrow Pearce (1865 – 1926) was a British imperial administrator and author of narratives of his travels and adventures. He authored in 1920 "Zanzibar: the Island Metropolis of Eastern Africa" and in 1898 "Rambles in Lion Land: Three Months' Leave Passed in Somaliland."
In Rambles in Lion Land, Mr. Pearce’s aim is to give a sportsman’s unvarnished account of lion-hunting in that wild country. In this he has succeeded. . . Mr. Pearce’s book is full of good reading.
It is not often that one meets with a book, three-fourths of which deal with the hunting of African big game, that can be read from cover to cover by a man who never shot anything bigger than a hare. Capt. Pearce has, however, written such a work, and, what is more, has illustrated It In a manner not unworthy of its merits The information he supplies is of real value.
The author and his companion, for in nineteen days’ march saw no fewer than ten lions. There is a vast deal of luck in these matters, but Captain Pearce, having secured good native hunters to begin with, adopted the wise policy of leaving to them the choice of route. The men justified his confidence, for in three months’ leave the two friends secured seven lions, two rhinoceros, several antelopes of various species, and had an unsuccessful chase after a herd of elephant. Reading between the lines. one is inclined to attribute the excellence of their sport in some measure to the consideration and tact with which they treated the natives; and, if excessive enthusiasm on the part of their followers and uninvited allies was the means of losing them a few shots, it was also the means of bringing them often within reach of game.
Captain Pearce seems to have been impressed with the future possibilities of Somaliland under British rule. The climate, as we all know, is pleasant and healthy, and the people are brave and particularly well-disposed towards the English ; it is a grand shooting country, and might perhaps be a valuable recruiting-ground; but its potentialities as a colony are not obvious. However ‘that may be, the author deserves our gratitude for a book which, is distinguished by literary style and gives a very graphic idea of the nature and general appearance of the country.
The book is a narrative of shooting in Somaliland, and the victims of his prowess included not only lions, but also panthers, rhinoceros, ostriches, and leopards. The story of the excursion is well told, and the photographs merit a special word of commendation. There is not much about the political situation, but the few remarks that are offered on Hinterlands and spheres of influence are those of a sane and level-headed observer.
Exceedingly readable narrative---with intrinsic charm that attracts interest. The volume is to be cordially commended, both to sportsmen and those who enjoy reading about fresh fields of sport. This is a pleasant and entertaining volume.
Originally published in 1898; may contain an occasional imperfection
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