The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-07-11
From 1hompso-A's 7raUeLs IN South africa
THE LION.

THE LION.
NARROW ESCAPE. As we travelled
along, observed my Hottentot continual,
looking out for the spoor track of human
feet, being exceedingly anxious to get tc
some kraal before night; but, the only
tracks he could discover were those Of
Wild animals, and of their pursuer, the
lion. The footprints of the latter were so
frequent and SO fresh, that t was evident
these tyrants of the desert were numerous
and near to US. Frederick, 1.-THE guide)
also remarked to me, that wherever such
numbers of the large game were to be
seen, we might be certain, lions were not
lar distant The numerous skeletons of
ANIMALS scattered over the plain, presented
sufficient proofs of the BUSINESS of our ap-
prehensions, and these were soon confirm
ed by ocular evidence. We were Jogging
penslvely along, the Hottentot with two
horses, about ten yards before mel fol-
lowing with the other two: Frederick was
noddlng on his saddle, having slept little, /
believe, the preceding night. In this pos
ture, happening to cast my eyes on one
side, beheld with CONSERVATION two mon
strous lions reclining under a minosa bush,
within fifteen yards of our path. They
were reclining lazily on the ground, with
haltopened jaws, showing their terrific
fangs. saw our danger, and was aware
that no effort could save US if these savage
beasts should be tempted to make spting.
| collected myself, therefore, and moved on
in silence while Frederick, without ner-
ceiving them, rode quietly past. follow
ed him exactly at the same pace, .keepinp
my eyes fixed upon the glaring monsters,
who remained perfectly still. When we
had got about seventy or eighty yards from
them, rode gently up to Frederick, and,
desiring him to look over his shoulder.
showed him the lions. But such face of
terror never beheld, as he exhibited on
;;;;Sc:.ceiving the danger we had so narrowly
escaped. He was astonished, too, that he
had not previously observed them, being,
like most of his countrymen, very quick
sighted. He said, however, that | had
acted very properly in not speaking, or
evincing the least alarm while passing the
lions for, if had, they would probably
not have let us pass so quietly. Most like
ly, however, we owed our safety in their
hunger being satiated: for they appeared
to have been just devouring some animal
they had killed, quagga, as it seemed to
me from the hurried glance had in
passing.
STRENGTH OF THE LION. It is said that
when the lion has once tasted human flesh,
he thenceforth entirely loses his natural
awe of human superiority audit is as
serted, that when he has once succeeded
in snatching some unhappy wretch from a
Bushman kraal, he never fails to return eve
ry night in search of another meal, and often
harnesses them so dreadfully as to force them
todesert their station. From apprehensions
Of such nocturnal attacks, some of these
wretched hordcs are said to be in the habit
of placing the aged and infirm nearest the
entrance of the cave or covert where they
usually sleep, in order that the least valua-
bic may first fall a prey, and serve as a
ransom Tor the rest. The prodigious
strength of this animal does not appear to
have been overrated. 1t is certain that he
can drag the heaviest OK with ease aeon
siderable way and a horse, heifer, harte-
beast, Or lesser prey, he finds no difficulty
in throwing upon his shoulder and carrying
! off to any distance he may find convenient.
! have myself witnessed an instance of q
very young lion conveying horse about a
mile from the spot where he had killed 1t ;
and more extraordinary case, which oc-
CURED in the Sneeuw!.erg, has been men
toned to me on good authority, where a
lion, having carried off heifer of two
years old, was followed on the spoor or
track for fully five hours by party on
horseback, throughout the whole distance
the carcass of the heifer was only once or
twice discovered TO have touched the
ground.
FATAL CoNFLIcT. Poor Cert Schepers,
! veboor, of the Cradock district was out
hunting in company with a neighbor, whose
name, as he is yet alive, and has perhaps
been sufficiently punished, lshall not mai
more notorious. Coming to a fountain,
surrounded as is common, with tall weeds
and rushes, Cert handed his gun to his
comrade, and alighted to search for water.
Bot he no sooner approached the fountain,
! than an enormous lion started up close at
his side, and seized him by the left arm.
The man, though taken by surprise, stood
stock still without struggling, aware that
the least attempt to escape would ensure
his instant destruction. The animal also
remained motionless, holding fast the DOORS
arm in his fangs, but without biting it Sc
verely, and shutting his eyes at the same
| time as if he could not Withstand the coun-
tenance of his victim. As they stood in
this position, Cert collecting his presence
of mind, began to beckon to his comrade
to advance and shoot the lion in the fore
head. This might have been easily effect
ed, as the animal not only continued still
with closed eyes, but Gert's body conceal
ed from his notice any object advancing in
front of him. But the fellow was vile
poltroon, and in place of complying with
his friends directions, or making any other
attempt to save him, he began cautiously
to retreat to the top of neighboring rock
Cert continued earnestly to beckon fol
assistance for long time, the lion contin
ued perfectly quiet; and the lion hunters
affirm that if he had persevered littl,
longer, the animal would have at lengtl
relaxed his hold, and left him uninjured
Such cases, at least, they maintain hav