ON THE UGANDA RAILWAY.
The following is an amusing story concerning the adventures of a BabU station-master at a station caflled Simba, on the Uganda Railway. Simba, by the way, means "place of lions." The stationmaster sent the following telegram to headquarters : Urgent. To Traffic Manager. . August 17, 1.45 a.m.
Lion is on platform. , Please instruct guard and driver to proceed carefully and without signal in yard. Guard to advise passengers not to get out here and be careful when coming in office. While the unhappy Babu was barricaded in his office, a big-game hunter arrived, as a sort of relief expedition. He saw a liquess rdaming about the metals, looking for trouble* and sniffing for the train to arrive, and he shot her at fifty yards’ range, shortly afterwards two lions strolled across the permanent way ; one met the same fate, the other was wounded and attacked the hunter. Meanwhile the stationmaster was Still worried by lions. Here is his next telegram* dated the same day, 8.50 a.m*
One African iiijured at six o’clbck* again by lion, and hence sent to Makindu Hospital by trolley. Traffic manager, please send cartridges by four down train certain,
The next telegram is more alarming. It is marked Extra urgent,
Pointsman is surrounded by two lions while returning from distant signal, and hence pointsman went on top of telegraph pole near the water tank. Train to stop there and take him on train—and then proceed. Traffic manager to please arrange necessary steps.
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Bibliographic details
Northland Age, Volume IV, Issue 42, 22 June 1908, Page 7
Word Count
249ON THE UGANDA RAILWAY. Northland Age, Volume IV, Issue 42, 22 June 1908, Page 7
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