The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-03-06
From ths Journal des CAesseurs.
WILD SPORTS In ALGERIA.
by II. JULES GERARD.

l KNlw OF large old lion IN the Smauls
county and bstook myself in that direc-
tion. On arriving | heard that he was in
the Donarif, near Batnah. My tent was
not yet pitched at the foot of the mountain,
when / learned that he was at the Fed
Jong, where, on my arrival, found he
| had gained the Aures. After travelling
one hundred leagues in ten days in the
trace of my brute without catching
glimpse of anything but his footprints,
was gratlfied on the night of the 22nd Of
August with ,he sound of my lords voice.
1 had established my tent in the valley Of
Ousten. As there 10 only one path across
this thickly covered valley, found it an
easy task to discover his track and follow
il to his lair. Al six o'clock i'll the evening
| alighted upon hillock commanding
prospect of the country around. was
ompauisd by native of the country
and my spshi, one carrying my carbine,
the other my old gun. AS had anticipa-
ted. the lion roared under cover at dawn
of day; but instead of advancing toward
me, ne started off in a westerly direction
at such pace that it was impossible for
me to come up with him. retraced my
steps at midnight and took up my quarters
at the foot Of a tree upon the path which
the lion had taken. The country about
this rpot was cleared and cultivated. The
moon being favorable, the approach of
any thing could be deserted in every direc-
ton. | installed myself and walled
Weary after ride of several hours over
very irregular country, and not expecting
any chance that night, enjoined my
spahi to keep good watch, and lay down.
| was just about to fall asleep when / felt
gentle pull at my burnous. On getting
up | was able to make out two lions, sit
ting one beside the other, about one hund-
red PAGES off, and exactly on the path in
which taken up my position. Al first |
thought we had been perceived, and pre-
pared 10 make the best Of this discovery.
The moon shed light upon the entire
ground which the lions would have TO
cross in order TO reach the tree, close TO
which all within circumference of ten
PAGES was completely dark, both on ac-
count of the thickness of the tree and the
shadow cast by the foliage. My spahi,
like me, was In range Of the shadow, while
the Arab lay snoring ten PAGES off in the
| full light of the moon. There was no
doubling the fact-it was this mon who
attracted the attention of the lions. | ex-
| pressly forbade the spahi 10 wake up the
Arab, as | was persuaded that when the
action was over he would be proud of
having served as bait even without
knowing 1t. then prepared my arms
and placed them against the tree and got
| up, in order the better to observe the
movements of the enemy. They were
not less than half an hour traversing a
distance of one hundred metres. Although
the ground was open, could only see
them when they raised their heads to
make sure the Arab was still there. They
took advantage of every stone and every
tuft of grass to render themselves almost
invisible; at last the boldest of them came
up crouching on his belly to within ten
PAGES of me and fifteen of the Arab. His
eye was fixed On the latter. and with such
on expression that | was afraid | had
waited too long. The second, who had
stayed a few PAGES behind, came and
placed himself on level with and about
four or five PAGES from the first. then
saw for the first time that they were full
grown lionesses. | took aim at the first,
and she came rolling and roaring down to
the foot Of the tree. The Arab was
scarcely awakened when a second ball
stretched the animal dead upon the spot.
The hrst bullet went in al the muzzle and
came out at the tail; the second had gone
through the heart. After making sure
that my men were all right, l looked out
Tor the second lioness. She was standing
up within fifteen PAGES, looking at what
was going on around her. | took my gun
and leyeled it at her. She squatted down.
When fired she fell down roaring, and
disappeared in field OF maize on the
edge of the road. On approaching
found by her moaning that she was still
alive, and did not venture at night into the
thick plantation which sheltered her. As
soon as it was day went to the spot
where she had fallen, and all found were
blood-marks showing her track in the di-
recilon OF the wood. After sending the
dead lioness to the neighboring garrison,
who celebrated Its arrival by banquet,
returned 10 my post of the previous night.
A little after sunset the lion roared for the
first time, but instead of quitting his lair
he remained there all night, roaring like
madman. Convinced that the wounded
lioness was there, sent on the morning
OF the 24th two Arabs to explore the COW
er. They returned without daring TO ap-
proach 1t. On the night of the 24lh there
was the same roaring and complaining of
The lion on the mountain and under cover.
| h0 Il