Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-07-22
From Bcntlcy's Miscellany for April.
II O L r S IN HIN DC S II o \
THE LIONESS.
BY II. II. dds Il.

II IL " - ~ ~ " ~
Lieutenant Carlyslc was one of the no.
blest, best and most generous voutlIs that
ever sought the shores of India. He was
exactly sixteen when Ire sailed from Eng
land leaving behind him many true and
sterling friends, that his many virtues and
aimablc disposition had won for him. lie
was of ii most sanguinc temperament, and
one o! the handsomcst lads | ever bcheId.
From infancy we had been brought up to-
gether.
Some ten years elapsed, when an appa-
rent stranger rushed into my room, and
grasping me by the hand, began to pour out
"A thousand kind speeches of recognilion.-
Fora few moments thought the gentleman
had made a mistake, and was about to tell
him so, when peculiar smile for single
instant lighted up his coun,cnancc, and !
| Immediately recognised it as that of my old
excellent friend, Pcrcival Carlyslc. Yes
the emaciatcd, calc-worn, and haggard be-
ing who shook me cordially by the hand,
was no less than the dear companion of my
boyhood. Occasionly, indeed, could trace
the speaking eye, the fine countcnancc of
my carly friend. But, alas all signs of
health and youth had fed Ten short years
had robbed Caryslc of all his bloom, and
much of lis won'cd high spirits. The fire
of his eye, and the joyous tone of happier
days, were gone. His good heart, his gen.
crous soul, alone remained alone were saved
from the general wreck Of his once buoy
ant mind and athletic body. At first
thought i'll health, the warmth of eastern
climes, or probably dissipation, had caused
Il, I l,I,,l1 Dorciyn1 hnu,oyor
soon undcceived me. lie saw my distress,
He marked my borrow as ! tried to recall
his once handsome features and, reading
my thoughts, he al once exclaimed
Il see you are startled by my altered
looks. Iexpeccd no less; but thought,
as had sent you an account of my acci-
dent You would have been better prepared
to anticipate the change in my personal
appearance =,
'Accidcn, | never heard of any,
have received no letter from you these three
years.
'Thcn my cpistcs have gone astray.
that's all. But as they have done 50, will
tell you how the affair took place that is to
say, if you wish to hear it,
! expressed my desire to do so, and he
repeated to me the following circumstances,
which give as nearly IN his own language
as possible.
| was quarcrcd high up the country,
commanding detachment, at least fifty
miles from any other European. My only
recreation was lion hunting, which occa-
sionly INDUCED in, and succeeded il destroy
ing several of these superb animals, which
were here SO numerous and SO bold, as Of
ten to approach our tents and carry off our
provisions.
'Iwas thus amusing myself one morning,
well mounted Oh fleet Arab followed by
dozen mon on foot, and armed with an
uncrring rifle, when one of my people sud-
denly discovered the prints of lions paw
in the sandy plain over which we were pas
sing, apparently inclining towards deep
Jungle some two hundred yards in advance
of us. | instantly dismounted to examine
) the iootmGrks, and was carefully tracing
them, when sudden cry Of terror made
me look up. did so, and bchcld mmcdi-
atcly in front of me a magnificent lioness
T, which had suddenly bounded out Of covert
Not "A moment was to be lost. ! spranl
towards my horse: my Syce, however
"'"'"t ~ NV appearance VI 'Hc I"''h u
beasts, had quilted the rein. and before
could reach him the iiighted animal wa
half across the open space. My servant
0 had all fed was alone. The lioness wa
lashing her sides with her tail she was cvi
: IDENTITY meditating an attack. | had but on,
. resource left. After vainly calling on m,
= servants to return and support me, | levcllc'
my rifle, and Just as she rushed forward
s fired. For single instant was not quit,
: sure whether | had hit her or not. Sh
y suddenly halted, threw up her head, an,
II gave terrific roar. ! was now convince,
= she was wounded but alas seemingly no
n in any mortal part She glarcd on me. IIu
= man nature could stand no more. threy
@ down my gun, and ioolishly overcome witt
e fear, fled. In another second | was con
d sclous of my error heard her come pant
# ing along close beside me. 1t was all owe
e with me; | knew my fate was sealed.
= threw myself down; the lioness actually, il
. her haste TO overtake me, spraug over me
C heards shot, and piercing cry from TIN
e animal told me she was again hit; bu, di,
. not once dare TO look up 10 see how seri
r ously,