I had been driving a lorry all day in the East African bush with a
Cockney escort. When we "parked" for the night I invited the escort to
sleep under cover in the lorry, as I was going to do. But he refused,
saying proudly that he had slept in the open since he had landed in
Africa. So, undressing, he proceeded to make the rim of the rear wheel
his pillow, covering himself with a blanket and greatcoat.
About 1 a.m. I was awakened by hearing someone climbing over the
tail-board. Responding to my challenge the Cockney said: "It's all
right. The blighter's been and pinched my blanket and greatcoat. It's a
good job I had my shirt on." We found next morning that a lion had run
off with them: about 100 yards away they lay, and one sleeve was torn
out of the coat.--_H. J. Lake, 40a Chagford Street, N.W.1._