The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-12-11

overlooking the dell, and the rays which had al
ready left IL, were lingering On the surrounding
hills lighting up every kl0of and rock, and tree,
with distiIrtness which seemed TO bring close
before US those which were in reality miles away
In the dell was still that blending of the homeiy
with the picturesque. which had before called up
our smiles. Amid the fairy-like scene Old ficher
sat on bis divan, putting forth clouds OF smoke upon
the pure. clear air, and opposite TO INN Was pltcea
his wife, evidently talking away WIN gfeut an
maton and industry; while the Three ausNy D0.u.
ties We're laughing and cIattering around ITe Hre
in busy prspaTation Of the evening meal TWO OF
three ae ,cia groups divided all these IRON iie iair
est ding in that fair spot kairyna leaned at the
foot of a solitary myrtle distance rendered her
features indsiincf, but her whole altitude indicated
meditation. Probably she Thought OF him whose
face was beaning with delight as he gaZed upon
her Hanpy PEOPLE, those lovers knowing no fear
eitber of each other or Of destiny Scarce a min
Ute had elapsed when Katryna turned her face
more towards rs. Strange girl! was it sudden
nerc.p ion of orr presence which babe her start 10
her feet, and fly wildly towards the wagons utter
ing SCREAM after scream Of frenzed horror! Becks
cry rather yell, of g the lion, the lion y told
another tale, as, striking his spurs into his horse S
sides, he galloped madly down the hill.
One glance az the lion bounding along that quiet
deli was enotAli to send ms in a body galloping as
madly after, while Mark, horse and man rolling
down the bin together, lay stunned at the foot
Headlong as was our pace, yet did the observation
seem as able to grasp everything as in calmest mo-
menss For Ifs and death the flying girl sped on (;
but though limp marked her pursuer as the recent
foe yet rapidly he gained upon Ter steps. We saw
the parents starts from their inacton at the sound
of KatTyna's voiee-the mother clasp her hands
and the father advance TO meet her, as still Shrek
ing forth cries of agony, their child round the
bushes. But scarce had Ficher made one step,
when, passing unframed through haste and dis
lance under voley from us ALL the lion sprung on
wiz md hart IN no a
shrek than mothers or than ehild's betraying
Beck's anguish az the sight. The stout old BOer
recoiled apace, but the fathers love was far too
strong for fear and, while the mother ran distracted
20 and fro he seized REIN skoon (heavy drag
which lay at hand, strobe bTavely forward, and
careless Of teeth and claws, beat it with all his
strength against the head of the ferocious beast,
which lay growing over his beloved and only
child. But, needless of this attack, the lion oesed
not his hold, nor turned on his assailant-every
blow appearing but TO bid him clasp his silent and
unconscious victim irner and closer in his powerful
limbs, and growl yet iercer over the fair shoulder
on whi.h lis teeth were closed, ever and anon
shaking by il the gentle girl, as one may have seen
a cat DO with her defenceess prey.
A few seconds did all this; it was a horrible
sight the poor old man and that fair young girl
Beck seemed absolutely maddened. He was now
on the spot and sprngng to the ground, thrust the
barrel Of his gun close TO the animals chest and
fired. The wound was mortal, but not instantane-
Ous and in the commissions of his dying agony
all the most terrible features of that fearful scene
were increased. It took Hays cooler hand to place
the mnZze of his rifle TO the lion Is forehead which
the Dnlehman had not ventnred for Katryna's sake,
and send into his brain bullet, which after one
fierce struggle, stilled for ever that enormous
amount Of animal power.
Anxiously and shudderingly we separated the
wild beast Of prey FROM the timid girl who, hav-
ing tainted at the first moment she felt herself
within the monsters crap, had happily been con-
scious Of little which ensued. But all was over !;
and it was lileess form beside which the mother
flung herself, in anguish mothers heart alone
can feel And SO ended our days sport"
Needs it TO say more or TO tell how the morrow's
sun beheld that fair form laid to rest beneath the
solitary myrtle or how eyes long unused to weep,
shed tears, sweet Katryna! on the lonely grave,
where, far from thy home and kindred, we left
thee TO thy dreamless sleep amid the silent wilder
ness meet fate, perhaps, for the reckless hunter
but all unsuitable for thee, the beautiful the gentle,
and the loved