The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-10-04
VOL 9, No. II, Whole No. 42z


such was the interest the narrative excited that sew
eraI voices inquired, wut became orhml What did
no dot lie did, resumed Mr.. Taylor, 'what I
want you all 20 do to night--when he recovered he
signed tho pledge, and now commands vessel ont Of
this port and his mother is still with us, singing glory
10 God lie sat down, and when all was quiet, u
TALL gentlemanly man rose mp, and after surveying
the audience a moment and wipng the perspiraton
from his forehead, he said, q the man. and re-
sumed his seat ngnin
| GRAND BATTLE WITH AN AFRICAN LION.
| letter from French Algeria gives us the particu-
lars of battle between a detachment Of French SO ID
lers, and huge lion, of those kings Of tho forest
that range through Tho mountains and plains Of Aff-
Ca In clearing the Arabs from ground Oued Zerg0,
last June, the French soldiers discovered this mon
srous lion in friendly intercourse with the natives His
female companion,a and numerous progeny occupied
natural fort in one of the neight oring hills from
whence, as general purveyor FOR the whole communi-
ty, no sailed forth daily to visit the Arab village
where every attention was paid to him, and his wants
duly cared for. His visits excited no uneasiness o.
mong the inhabitants. Men, women and children,
could approach him without fear Occasionally, ii is
true, he would carry home with him n cow, q sheep
or dog, without asking permission Bot he only
did so when the villagers neglected TO furnish his u
sua suppIy,and being good friend in other respects
the Arabs rather encouraged hio, exercise oC
his FREE -hVfco OF whatever he wished, themselves
and families, OF course excepted The French hav-
ing expelled the Arabs, his lionship was compelled
to take wider range in search of food, and in m un
lucky hour, on the 18th orJune last, made himself
known TO eight French sodiers who had heard Of his
majesty and were in search OF his lair. He approach
ed them quietly, apparently anxious to open nogoia-
tons for treaty of(riendshp similar to that existing
between his late neighbors and himself But the
French soldiers, being civilized people, entertained
moral antplhy against lions and Arabs--und with
out waiting for opportunity 10 smother Tho lion and
his family in the cave, as Col Peissier, or Marshall
Bugeaud destroyed seven hundred men, women and
chiIdrea in Dahra-- the eight soldiers formed into
line, and discharged voy of musletry at his maies-
w. For the first time in his life, he discovered that
g ,a as tPPt r'e' pu' me 0OuS'
.., on.ins, him and with slight wound IN one
es him. ana as nsht HFPrOaced they
bult up large fires four Of their number remaining
guard willis, tho oho RS slept. AS the fires began
kndle, the lion commenced his cry, and IN a
few minutes the whole wilderness resounded with the
echo. Lions and lilo ncsses answering the cry Of the
forest king pour ed down from the hills. The thick
appeared 10 be surro unded with beasts The sold
iers unable to eeep, but they entertained no
fear Of attack so ltng they kept mp the fires.
Faggo,s were thrown on the burning heaps Higher
and higher rose the flames, aud louder and fercer
ronred the beasts. Thus passed tho night. AT day
break, the soldiers preparing to disIodge their
game, enc Of them discovered tho lion within four
PAGES, in the very act Of crorching for spring upon
him, and had barely time 10 present his boyonet,
when his powerful adversary came down upon lt,thn
bayonet passing through him up TO the lock of lha
musket. The shock was great the soldier fell TO
the ground, and in an instant he paws Of the mon
sier were plunged in his flesh. Tho other soldiers
few to the rescue, bot dared not fire lest they should
kill their comrade. The unequal combat was horri-
bic! For time the menarcing attitude Of the sold
rs around prevented the frantic lion from despatch
ing his victim lie lay upon the poor soldier with
his huge paws indented in the flesh Although fran
tic with pain, the lion hardly moved for some mo-
mens lie growled terrifcaIIy at his enemies, while
his mo,ionless victim mplored protection. At last
the lion moved! His claws sunk deeper! Screams
Of anguish from his victim pierced the hearts Of the
spectators and at tho risk of shooting their comrode
two fired! Piercing shrleks from the poor soldier
with greater fury. Snpposng from his cries that their
shots had seriously wounded their comrade, tho sold
ers fred three more, and the lion Cell They march
ed forward and despatched the monster. Their COM
rade thus happily rescued, was found TO have eceiv
ed only ono gun shot wound and that not dangerous
being in the thigh his Wounds from the lions claws
were more severe, and he suffered severely from the
loss of blood before reaching the hospital. The lion
was found to be twelve feet long, and six feet and
nine inches round the body his side teeth measured
four inches and quarter from the gums His tail
was six feet two inches long, and his height when
standing was over ten feet. lie the largest ever
seen in Algeria. An expedition was being prepared
to attack the liouess and her progeny
THE OLp MAN. Wo respect and love him
good old gentleman. For years we remember his
pleasant look aud his lively conversation With an
excellent education and large fund Of Inflammation
gathered by reading and observation for nearly four
score years. he is rendy to assist the enquirer
and the young man in the pursuit Of knowledge
blessings on his hoary head. May he still live TO be
happy and enjoy life many years to come. There IS
! ,o,hinp repulsive in Virtuous old age, il IS ne