The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-11-25
TyTSYoRICAL EXTRACTS.

AFRICAN LIONS.-Thc first number
of the South .ftiican Jou3ldi, published at
the Cape of Good Hope, contains some very
interesting details respecting the Lions of
that country. The writer says, that, be
vond the limits of the colony they are ac-
counted peculiarly fierce and dangerous, and
he thinks Mr.. Barrow's representations, that
they arc cowardly and treacherous, is
conclusion drawn from limited experience or
inaccurate information. "The prodgious
strength of this animal Che obsevcs) does
not appear to have been overrated. 1t is
certain that he can drag the heaviest OK, with
ease, considerable way: and horse, heit-
cr hartebcast, or lesser prey, he finds no dill
iiculty in throwing over his shoulder and car
rying off to any distance he may find convcn-
lent. have myself witnessed an instance
Of a very young lion conveying a horse about
a mile from the spot where he had killed 1t {:
and more extraordinary case has been
mentioned to me on good authority, where
a lion, having carried off a heifcr of two years
old, was followed Oil the track for five hours
above so English miles, by aparty on horse
back: and, throughout the whole distance,
the carcass of the hcifer was only once or
twice discovered to have touched the ground.
The Bcchuano Chief, old Peyshow (now III
Cape TOWN. conversing with me few
DAYS ago, said, that the lion very seldom at
tacks man, if unprovoked: but he will trc-
quently approach within few PAGES, and
survey him steadily: and sometimes he will
attempt to get behind him, as if he could not
stand his look, but was yet dcsirous of spring
ing upon him unawares. If a person in such
circumstances attempts either to fight or tiy,
he incurs the most imminent peril; but If
he has sufficient presence OF mind coolly to
confront him, without appearance OF either
terror or aggression, the animal will, III al
most every instance, after little space, re-
tire. The overmastcring effect OF the hu-
man eye upon the lion has been frequently
mentioned, though much doubted, by ira
vcllcrs but, from my own enquiries among
lion hunters, l am perfectly satisfied of the
fact: and an ancctlote related to me few
DAYS ago, by Major MIntosh, proves that
this fascinating effect is not restricted to the
lion. An officer in India, well known to my
! informant, having chanccd to ramblc into a
Jungle, suddenly cncountcrcda Royal lyger.
The rcncontrc appeared equally rneXpeet-
cd on both sides, and to each other. he
gentleman had no firearms, and was aware
| that sword would be no effective defence
in a struggle for life with such an antagonist.
! But he had heard that even the Bengal ty-
ger might be sometimes checked by looking
him firmly in the face. He did so. In few
minutes, the tySer, which appeared prcpar-
cd to make his final spring, grew disturbed,
skunk aside, and attempted to creep round
upon him behind.
The officer turned constantly upon the
tyger, which still continued to shrink tor his
glance but dartng into the thickct, a
gain issued in different quarter, it persevei'-
ed for above half an hour i'll this attempt to
catch him by surprise till, ut last, it fairly
Welded the contest, and le1t the gentleman
to pursue his pleasure zraN. The direction
he now took, as may be easily believed, was
straight to the tents, at a double quick time"
Afterrclating several terrific stories OF en-
counters with lions, the writer concludes his
article with one not quite SO fearful, related
by Lucas Van Nuucn, TO Nee Boor, his
neighbour, at the Buvian's river: Lucas
was riding across tho open plains about day
break, and observing a lion at distance, he
cndeavorcd to avoid him by making cir
cult Lucas soon perceived that he was not
disposed to let him pass without further
parlance, and that he was rapidly approach
ing to the encounter, and being without his
roe,. (riflc) and otherwise little inclined to
any closer acquaintance, he turned off at
right anglcs-laid the sambok freely to his
horses flank, and gallopcd tor life. The
horse was tagged, and bore heavy man on
his back the lion was fresh and furious with
hunger, and came down upon him like
thunderbolt! In d few seconds he overlook
Lucas, and springing on behind him brought
horse and man in an instant to the ground.
Luckily the boor was unhurt, and the lion
too eager in worrying the horse to pay any
( immediate attention to the rider.
l.. f,.z