The Snows of Kilimanjaro

[ Man Narrating ] Kilimanjaro

is a snow-covered mountain, 1 9,7 1 0 feet high...

and is said to be

the highest mountain in Africa.

Close to the western summit, there is

the dried and frozen carcass of a leopard.

No one has explained what the leopard

was seeking at that altitude.

Look at 'em.

I wonder, is it sight or is it scent

that brings them?

[ Woman ] They've been about for ever so long.

They don't mean a thing.

The marvelous thing is

that it's painless now.

- Is it really?

- Yes.

That's how you know when it starts.

[ Man ]

They're a filthy bird...

but they know their business.

I used to watch the way they sailed

very carefully at first...

in case I ever wanted to use

one of them in a story.

That's funny now.

I've gotten so nervous,

not being able to do anything.

I think we might make it as easy as possible

until the plane comes.

Or until the plane doesn't come.

Mr.Johnson hasn't been a white hunter

for a quarter of a century...

not to know his way around.

If he can't get a plane,

he'll be back with another truck.

One way or another,

it's not very important.

I feel so helpless. I wish there was

something I could do.

You can take the leg off.

Or you can shoot me.

You're a good shot.

I taught you to shoot, didn't I?

Let's not be melodramatic, Harry.

You're not going to die.

No? I'm dying now.

Ask those things.

[ Woman ] They're around every camp.

You never notice them.

I don't see why this had to happen

to your leg in the first place.

What have we done-- either one of us--

to have had this happen to us?

Well, I suppose that what I did...

was forget to put iodine on it

when I first scratched it.

We were after the impala,

in case you've forgotten.

And with a camera, at that.

[ Gasps ]

Ow! Ow!

That isn't what I meant,

and it isn't how you got your leg.

- No?

- Not at all.

It was at the lake last week.

It was a lovely, peaceful day...

and those enormous hippos

were having their own party.

We could've passed them by

without incident...

but-- oh, no-- you had to

get so awfully playful.

[ Speaking African Language ]

Look at them.

There must be hundreds of them.

Harry, look at that one!

- Look at that big one over there!

- [ African Language ]

Harry!

I wouldn't chance it any closer.

[ Shouting In African Language ]

Harry! Be careful!

- Harry!

- What's the matter? You frightened?

- Not in the least.

- [ Laughs ] Well, let's go!

[ Shouting In African Language ]

Come on. Come on!

Harry, easy.

You're asking for trouble.

Harry, look. Here. Here.

[ Squeals ]

- [ Squeals ]

- [ Shouts ]

Harry! Harry, we've lost

one of our boatmen.

What?

[ Screams ]

Harry!

[ Squawking ]

[ Woman ] And you insisted on carrying the boy

in your arms all the way back to camp.

And it was from all his blood and dirt

that you got that infection.

[ Chuckles ]

That could be the point of view.

From yours, it would be contact

with the lower classes.

Being a writer, I prefer to think

that it was a quirk of fate...

a mere prick of a thorn...

that laid the great man low.

A lot it matters now.

Harry, please.!

- Molo!

- Bwana.!

- Whiskey soda. Make it pronto, Molo.

- It's bad for you.

- No, it isn't . It's good for me.

- It's not good for you.

No. It's Bad for Me.

Cole Porter wrote the words and music.

[ Sings Lyric ]

There, that's poetry.

Oh, I'm full of poetry now.

- Rot and poetry-- rotten poetry.

- Harry.

Harry, it said in the first-aid book

to avoid all alcohol.

It's not good for you.

That's what I meant by giving up.

You must do everything you can.

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