Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-28
From Scenes in South Africa.
A LION HUNT.


We mustered by daylight; and as we were
anxious, for the sake of the novelty, to have
promised 10 XIII aakM to accompany US, NV, we
were not long in persuading thirty Of them to
follow us. In~a short time we observed them
leading out Of the cattle kraal two milk oxen,
with their horns bound round with thongs,
which, TO all appearance, one might fancy were
intended for sacrifice, but on closer inspection
we found they were their pack oxen, prepared
to carry home such as we might kill for them.
We made a singular appearance as we canter
ed along. Each Tambookie had a hall. slarved
dog; some Of the best runners would keep close
10 US, but on occasionally looking back, the
plain seemed covered with horsemen-whites
and Hoitentots, blacks and dogs.
'Our party was formed into two divisions, MIR
5 Mr. X. and ourselves, were TO cross the
plain about the centre, Diederick was our lead
err. The other party were to skirt the base Of
the mountain, about which grew a few tall mi
mosas, and TO keep in an even line with US, "a
bout half a mile distant.
"The mountain seemed to meet Just before
US, but, as W approached, we saw a pretty wide
opening, through which we passed, when ano-
ther valley or plain, of sim liar character, but Of
much greater extcnt,was presented to our view
Here all animated nature seemed collected, and
to reign unmolested. The signal was, howev-
er, soon giveE-that mar, the destroyer, was ap-
preaching, and all the various animals, with
snorts and bounds, began 10 collect in bodies
gnoos, harte-beesis, quaggas, spring bucks, and
roe-bucks The gnoo is The animal so well
described by Barrow, the existence of which
was but a very few years ago disputed. They
run sluggishly at first, but at once they spring
out, whisk their long tails about, and, with
their heads to the ground, defy their pursuers.
Their dusky colour and bushy heads give them
a strange appearance.
"Mr 5. had chased some Of these animals in
the direction Of the mimosas, trenching on the
ground which our comrades were TO take; he
was getting closer TO his object, and was about
to dismount a second time, when his eyes CLAN.
ced on the long-wisbrd-for game-an enor-
nous Lion! He was walking majes!icaIIy slow;
but when Mr.. s. gave the tally-ho To US. he
c%oucbed, and seemed inclined to wait, blu, soon
afterwards cantered off to the mimosas
sin a few seconds we were all up-at least,
our division. The first object was 10 prevent
him from climbing the mountain; we therefore
rode through the mimosas about three hundred
yards from where he had entered, and got be.
tween him and the heights Diederick Muller
and Mr.. s., with their servants and lead horses.
then rode round the little grove, whiIu we were
stationed where we hrst entered. The grove
was hardly five hundred yards in length, and
twenty in breadth; consequently, we could by
this arrangement Command the whole Of it.
"True to our engagement, as well as heartily
their assistance, we waited for the o.
Their party. The other part Of our division ha.
wing rode round the grove, came up opposite
10 US, but at a distance, and as we saw them
dlsmount, we did the same. Our situation was
Haery r.,,L1 - - l.. --Fs
but MIR: Rennie, who carried it, was perfectly
We we're talking to each other in a
when Mr.. Rennie very coolly said, "list.
IN, the gentleman is grumbling." The sound
vas so very like distant thunder, that we doubted
out at the same moment caught a glimpse
81 the lion walking away, not a hundred and
iifty yards from Us, and he must have been pre.
'lously still nearer 10 US than we had c~alculat.
a. gave the alarm, which was echoed to our
riend, who in an instant mounted and rode nm
o the lower end, calling upon US to advance.