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The original book was printed in 1907 and became the Movie - The Ghost in the
Darkness, with Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas.
The movie took some creative liberties that I believe should not have been done.
The story, if told according to the book,
would have been much better. It’s a truly breathtaking, page-turner of a book.
My only complaint was that I wish he would have
gone into more details. The whole battle with the lions is covered in 108 pages.
When the movie came out in the 90's, I wanted to read the book. In 1998, when I
was first getting good on the computer,
I did hours of searches trying to find the book. No luck because I was searching for the book that the movie ‘Ghost in the Darkness’
was based on. I watched the credits at the end and did anything to give me the
clue I needed to find the book. No luck.
I was recently researching Mountain Lion attacks and found a reference to the
movie and the author of the website I was on knew the name of the book:
The Man-eaters of Tsavo, by Lt. Col. J. H. Patterson. Peter Chapstick reprinted the
book in 1986. One can never say this man was not brave. His steadfast courage to
sit at night waiting with no flashlight, desperately trying to get a shot at
these two man-eaters is remarkable,
to say the least. Being a gun nut, I was only disappointed in the lack of guns
in name and caliber. For instance, he says he used a
double barrel 12 gauge, but no make or model. And what would have been great was
an historical perception regarding the type of shotgun shells. What were they
made out of? Were they brass or paper cartridges?
And the borrowed gun that failed him, again no name or caliber. The one that
really drove me crazed was the Martini Carbine he used.
Again, what caliber? So, off I went to search this out. In the Appendix in the
back of the book he recommended what one should take
on an African safari. A 450 express with 250 rounds - 50 solid hardnose and 200
softnose bullets. Also, a 303 sporterized model with 300 rounds - 100 hard 200 soft nose
and a 12 gauge shotgun with 500 rounds in 6 to 8 size birdshot. I am sure after
his battle with the lions he
understood the need for hardnose bullets for better penetration on large
man-killer sized animals and the need for soft nose when hunting
the good eating game animals. The bird shot was for shooting birds for lunch and
supper meals, I am sure.
Again what is the Martini carbine? That is all he said, that it was a carbine. I
would guess it is the 450 express he recommends in the
appendix, but in 1907 what was common knowledge is lost in history for those of
us trying to find out about the guns used then.
If anyone does know of the gun he is talking about I surely would enjoy hearing
from you. Overall, the book is great work and I would
like to thank Peter Chapstick for reprinting this great story.
Why my interest? Because a animal rights person stated that no animal has ever
targeted humans. This is an utter and complete fallacy.
These lions target fresh, live humans. They licked the skin off their victims
and enjoyed the fresh blood of MAN. Two lions targeted humans
and estimates run from 120 to 135 killed in a 9 month period. In other words,
their main food source was man for 9 months. The only cure was killing the two
lions.
By the way, as a trapper I kept asking myself why didn't they trap the lions?
They did trap one and I will leave you to find out what happened.
Upon further investigation I did find what I believe is the Martini rifle.
http://www.martinihenry.com
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