The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-11-19
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Encounter with a Lioness.

SUDDENLY | observed number of vu-
lures seated on the plain about quarter Of
mile ahead Of us, and close beside them
stood huge lioaoss, consuming blcsbok
which she had killed. She was assisted in
her rcpast by dozen jackals, which were
Teasing along with her in the most friendly
and confidential manner. Directing my fo.-
lowers attention TO the spot, | remarked, "
see the lion;' to which they replied,
Whar ? whar? Yah Almagig dat is
he;' and instantly refining in their stccds
and wheeling about, they pressed their heels
to their horses sides, and were preparing TO
betakc themselves to flight. asked them
what they were going to do To which
they answered awe have not vet placed
caps on our rifles" This was true; but
while this short conversation was passing.
the lioness hal observed us. Rnsing her
her full, round face, she overhauled us for a
few seconds and then set Of at a smart can
ter toward range Of mountains some miles
10 the northward the whole troop of jack
ais also stared of in another direction /;
licre was, therefore, no time to think of
caps. The first move was to bring her TO
bay, and not a second was to be lost. Sour.
ring my good and lively steed, and shouting
to my men to follow, flew across the PLAIN.
and, being fortunately mounted on Coles
berg, the flower of my stud, gained upon
her al every stride. This was to me a Joy.
fu moment, and al once made up my mlnd
that she or must die.
The ioness having had a long start of me,
we went over considerable extent of
ground before came up with her She
was large, full-grown beast, and the bare
and level nature of the plain added to her
imposing appearance. Finding that gain
ed upon her, she reduced her pace to a tro,
carrying her tail stuck out behind her, and
slowed a little TO one side. / shouted loudly
to her to halt, as wished to speak with her,
upon which she suddenly pulled up, and sat
on her launches like a dog, with her bock
toward me, not even deignng 10 look
round. She then appeared to say to herself
Does this fellow know who he is after ?"-
Having thus sat for half minute, as if in
thought, she sprang TO her feet, and, facing
about, stood looking at me for a few seconds,
moving her tail from side to side, showing
her teeth, and growing fercely. She next
made short run forward, making a loud,
rumbling noise like thunder. This she did
TO intimidate me but finding that did not
finch an inch, nor seem to heed her hostile
demonsti alton, she quietly stretched out her
massive arms, and lay down on the grass.
My Hottentots now coming up, we all three
dlsmounted, and, drawing our rifles from
their holsters, we looked to see if the pow
der was up in tho nipples, and put on the
caps. While this was doing, the lioness sat
up, and showed evident symptoms Of unea-
siness. She looked first at us, and then be-
hind her,to see if the coast were clear; after
which she made short run towards us, ut
tering her deep.drawn murderous growls.-
Having secured the three horses to one an
other by their rheims, VIC led them on as if
we intended to pass her, in the hope of OBJ
tanning broadside. But this she carefully
avoided to expose, presenting Only her full
front. had given Stofulus my Moore rifle,
with orders to shoot her, if she should spring
upon me, but on no account to FIRE before
me, Kleinboy was 10 stand ready TO hand
me my Purdey rifle, in case the two-grooyed