Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-11-11
NATURAL HISTORY.

of the South Africon Journal. pub
lished at the Cape Of Good Hope. con
tains some very interesting "DETAILS re-
specting the lionsof t.at country. The
writer say-, that, beyond the limits OF
the colony, they are accounted peculiar
ly fierce and dangerous, and he thinks
Mr.. Barrow's representations, that
they are cowardly and trescherous, 10 q
conclusion drawn from limited expert.
ence or Inaccurate information. The
prodigious strength of this animal The
observes) does not appear to have been
overrated. 1t is eitaiO that he can drag
the heaviest OK, with ease, a considera.
BILE way: and horse heiter, hartebeest,
or lesser prey, he finds I'D difficulty IN
throwing over his .houlder and carry
ing off to any distance he may find con-
venlsnt. ! have myself witnessed an
instance Of a very young lion convey
ing g horse about mile from the spot
where he had killed it and more ex-
traordinary case has been mentioned to
me on good gu hnrity. where lion,
having carried IF heifer Of two years
old. was followed on the track for five
hours. above f:lrty English miles, by
party on horse black; and. throughout
the whole dist 'nce, the carcass Of toe
heifer was only once or twice discover
ed TO have touched the ground, The
Beehuano Chief, old Peysbow. NOV IN
Cape TOWN. conversing with me few
days ago, said. the lion very seldom at
tacks man, if unprovoked; bat he will
frequently app oacb within few PAGES,
and survey him steadily; end some
times be will attempt to Get behind him,
a. if he could not stand his look, bu,
was yet desTous OF sPriDgipg upon him
Unawares person III Sach cirCum-
stances attempts either to figh, OF fly.
he incurs the most imminent peril: but
if he has sofficiept presence of mind
coo!iy to confront him without appears
ance of either terror or aggression, the
animal will, in almost every instance.
alter little spacs. retire. The over.
mastering effect Of the human eye upon
the lion has been frequently mentioned,
though much doub,ed, by travellers;
but, from my own inquiries among lion
hunters, an perfectly sa listed OF the
fact: and an snsrdote relssed to me
few days ago, by Major Macintosh.
proves hat this faseisaring effect is not
restricted TO the lion. An officer in
India, we'll known TO my informant
havins Glanced To rsmble into Jungle,
suddenly encountered a r yal Tiger.
The rencontre appeared equally unex.
pected on DO h sides, and both parties
made dead halt, earnestly gazing Cd
each other. The gentleman had no fire
arms and was aware that sw I'd would
be no effective defence in q struggle for
life with such an antagonist Bot he
had heard tha even the Bengal Tiger
might be sometimes checked by look
ing him firmly in the face In a few
minutes, he Tiger, whic h appeared pre-
pared to make his final spring grew
disturbed SUNK aside. and attempted
to creep round upoo HIN behind. The
officer turned constantly upon the ii
ger, hich sill continued to shrink
from his glance but, das Jog into the
'bicket, and again issuing forth in DIFF
feren q lar'er Persevsred for more
than hsif an hour IN this attempt to
catch bin by surprise till, at last. it
fairly yielded the con'est and left the
gentleman TO pursoe his pleasure zOalk
The direction he now took, as may be
easily believed, was straight 70 the tents,
at double quick time Al relating
several terrific stories Of enc ounters
with lions. the writer concludes bisar-
ucle with one not quite so fearful, re-
aed by Lucas Van Vuuen. to Wee
Boor HE neig hbor, at he Bavian's river:
Lucas was riding across the open plains
about day break, and observing lion
at distance, he endeavored to avoid
him by making circuit. Lucas soon
perceived that he was not disposed to
let him pass without further parIance,
and that he was rapidly approaching to
the encounter, ard being without his
roer (riae) and otherwise little inclined |
t" any closer acquaintance, he armed |
off at right sngIes-'aid the ssmbok
freely to his horses flank, and gaDicped
for life. The horse was tagged, end |
bore heavy man on his back; the lion
was fresh and iusious WI b hunger and
came down upon him ike thunder.
bolt IN few seconds he overlook |
Lucas. and spriDging up behind him,
brought hOrse auo man 10 al 1ustant to |