Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-11-14
An Appalling Tragedy.

| Suddenly the appalling and murderous voice
of an angry and blood-thirsty lion burst upon
my ear within a few yards of US, followed by
the shrieking of the Hottentots. Again and
again the murderous roar of attack was repeat
ed. We heard John and Rutyer shrek, the
lion the lion = still, for few moments we
thought he was chasing one of Che dogs round
the kraal; but next instant, John Stofolus rush.
ed into the midst of us, almost speechless with
fear and terror, his eyes bursting from their
sockets, and shreked out, the lion! the lion /.
He has got Hendrick-he has dragged him
away from the fire beside me- l struck him
with burning brand upon his head, but he
would not let go his hold. Hendrick is dead.
o, God Hendrick is dead Let us take FIRE
and seek him.
The rest of the people rushed about, Shrek
ing and yelling as if they were mad. was at
once angry with them for their folly, and told
them that if they did not stand still and keep
quiet, the lion would have another of US and
that very likely there was troop of them. l
ordered the dogs, which were nearly all fast to
be let loose, and the fire to be increased as much
as could be. | then shouted Hendricks name,
but all was still. told my men that Hendrick
was dead, and that a regiment of soldiers could
not help him, and hunting my dogs forward, |
had everything brought within the cattle kraal,
when we lighted our fire and closed the en-
trance as well as We could. My terrified peo-
pie sat around the fire with guns in their hands
till the day broke, still fancying that every
moment the lion would return and spring again
into the midst of US.
When the dogs were first let go, the stupid
brutes, as dogs often prove when most required,
instead of going at the lion, rushed fiercely on
one another, and fought desperately for some
minutes. After this they got the wind, and ,
going at him, disclosed 10 us his position they
kept up continual barking until the day dawn
ed, the lion occasionally springing after them
and driving them in upon the kraal. The hor-
rible monster lay all night within forty yards
of us, consuming the wretched man whom he
had chosen for his prey, he dragged him into
a little hollow at the back of a thick bush. be-
side which the fire was kindled, and there he
remained until the day dawned, careless-of our
proximity.
1t appeared that when the unfortunate Hen
drick rose TO drive in the OK, the lion had
watched him to the freside, and he had scarce
ly lain down when the brute sprang upon him
and Ruytcr (for both lay under one blanket
with his appalling, murderous roar. and roaring
as they lay, grapled him with his fearful claws
and kept biting him on the breast and shoulder,
and all this while feeling for his neck, having
got hold of which, he at once dragged him
away backwards round the bush into the dense
shade. As the lion lay upon the unfortunate
man, he family cried, help me, help me =
o, God, men, help me- After which the
fearful beast got hold of his neck, and then all
was still, eXcepthis companions heard the bones
of his neck cracking between the teeth of the
lion. John Stofolus had lain with his back to
the fire on the opposite side, and on hearing the
lion he sprang up, and seizing large flaming
brand, he had belabored him on the head with
the burning wood but the brute did not take
any notice of him. The bushman had mar
row escape he was not altogether scatheless,
the lion having inflicted two gashes on his seat
with his claws.-Fre gears Adventure in s.
Africa.