Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-01-29
Battle with an African Lion.

letter from French Algeria gives us the particu
lars OF battle between detachment Of French SOL
ders aud huge lion, one Of those kings Of the
forest that range through the mountains aud plains
Of Africa In clearing the Arabs from around
Oued Zerga, last June, the French soldiers dis
covered this monstrous lion in friendly iniercoure
wih the natives. His female companion and a
numerous progeny occupied a natural fort in one
OF the neighborlng hills from whence, general
puHeyor for the whole community, he sailed forth
daily TO visit the Arab village where every attention
was paid to him and his wants duly cared for.
His visits created no uneasiness among the Arabs.
Men, women, and children could approach him
without fear Occasionally, it is true, he would
carry home with him COW, sheep, or a dog,
without asking permission But he only did so
when the villagers neglected TO furnish his usual
supply, and being good friend in other respects,
the Arabs rather encouraged him in the exercise
Of his free choice of whatever he wished themselves
and families Of course excepted. The French
having expelled the Arabs, his lionship was CON-
PEELED 10 take wider range in search of food and
in an uulucky hour, on the 18th Of June last, made
himself known to eigh, French soldiers, who had
heard Of bis majesty and in search of his lair
He approached them quietly, apparently anxious to
open negotiations for treaty OF friendship similar
to that existing between his late neighbors and
himself But The French soldiers, being civilized
people, INDUCED mortal antpathy against lions
aud Arabs aud without waiting for an opportunity
smother tie lion aud his family IN cave as
Col Pelisser, or Marshal Bugeaud destroyed seven
hundred men, women, and children, in Dahra-ihe
eight soldiers formed into line, and discharged a
yolley Of musketry at his majesty. For the first
time in his life, he discovered that mankind are
not all alike. His first impulse appeared like a
determination to give battle, but the odds were
against him and he returned 10 an adjoining ihcket
IL
preached, they built large fires four of their num-
Der remaining on guard, whilst the Others slept
As the fires began to kndle, the lion commenced
his war cry and in few minutes the whole wild.
erness resounded with the echo Lions and lion.
esses answering the cry Of the forest king, poured
down from the hills. The thicket appeared to be
surrounded with beasts. The soldiers were unable
to sleep. but they entertained no fear of an attack
so long as they kept up the fires. Faggots were
thrown upon the burning heaps. Higher and high
er rose the flames and louder and fercer roared
the beasts. Thus passed the night At daylight
as the soldiers were preparing to dislodge their
game, one Of them discovered the lion within four
paces in the very act of crouching for a spring
upon him, and had barely time TO present his bayo-
net, when his powerful adversary came down upon
it, the bayonet passing through him up TO the lock
Of the musket The shock so great that the SOL
der was thrown to the ground aud in an instant the
paws ofthe monster were plunged in his flesh. The
soldiers flew 10 the rescue, but dared not fire lest
they should kill their comrade. The unequal com.
hat was horrible For time the menacing atti-
tude OF the soldiers around prevented the frantic
lion from despatching his victim. He lay upon
the poor soldier with his huge paws indented in his
flesh. Although frantic with pain, the lion hardly
moved for some moments, while his motionless
victim implored protection AT last rhe lion mov-
ed His claws sunk deeper Screams of anguish
from his victim pierced the hearts of the spectators
and at the risk Of shooting their comrade two fir
ed Piercing shrieks from the poor soldier now
rent the air, as the wounded beast attacked him
with greater fury. Surprising from his cries that
their shots had seriously wounded their comrade
the soldiers fred three more, and the lion fell
They marched forward and despatched the mon.
ster. Their comrade, thus happily rescued wa.
found to have received only one gunshot wound
and that not dangerous, being in his thigh; hi.
wounds from the lions claws were more severe
and he suffered severely from the loss of blood
before reaching the hospital.