The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-11-13

what the rasca's intention was. He had lust
been fpasting on some animal he had killed
very likely a springbok, and was not hungry.
But he had made up his mind to have me for
his next meal and as lions like their food
fresh killed. the >coundrcl was keeping me
until he had digrstcd his breakfast. Wasn't
that an agreeable prcdicamcnt for Christian
man. as the Doors say"
There was no denyin" that it was a terri
bic situation indeed But had read, in
some missionary work, of IIottentot who
was kept prisoner hy a lion in similar way,
and was watched steadily bv him for a whole
day; but at night, if | remembered rightly.
the lottentot was overcome bv exhaustion,
and went to sleep, and when he awokc the
lion was gone.
"Ye> replied the trader, Il have heard Of
the story. The llottcntot was lucky fellow
You see lion. in his disposition and habits,
Is nothing more than great cat. Some pco-
pie speak of the lions magnanimitv. and As
cribc some noble qualities to the beast. but
that is all nonsense. When a lion is not hun
gry. if he meets with game, he will frequently
pass it bv without notice He will seldom
Kill It out OF mere wantonncSS and cruelty
but neither will cat, unless it has been
taught to do 50 y cat. when it Is not hun
gry. will sometimes play with a mouse: that
Won would think. must he from a cruel Ii>po-
>ition; but in reality, it i only keeping the
creature alive tor the next meal Now this
Is exactly what Il lion sometimes does. and
particularly one that ha> tasted human flesh
50 the natives, at least will tel! Won The ma
tlVc> >ay. that in such casc the lion u>ualv
waits Tor the man t. 90 to sleep, and then
watches him till hr begins 10 move and show
signs o. awaking,w he pouncc> upon him.
In the case OF the IIofr,ntot. the lion must
have been frightened away bv something that
occurred while the man was asleep. For nv
self did not doubt that the creature was
watching me with the intention of waiting
until should fall asleep from cxhau>,ion.anl
then spring upon me at the first movement
made | was safe, thou.ht 80 long As could
keep nay eyes open; lnt it went To sleep.
should rc.a ainly awak, in the lions laws"
-IhCrr wa something .,. pe, uliarlv trirht-
tul, as We! a. unexpected, N the picture thu,
cor'4!rd, that could not rr~train >huddcr
and an exclamation 90. hurru..
"oh. don't he alarmed. ON nv account
said Hutton with a laugh. ~You spr | an,
here alive and whole ONLY want Won tc
understand what the danger really was be-
fore | tell You how escaped. You know
| had been mp all night. and was tolrrally
hungry and tired. had brought flask full
of water with me. and had Just cmptcd il
that morning; 50 that, Iy rooI luck | wo.
not at all thirsty. But for that. | do not know
how ! should have been able ro hold ont tLr,
the day The sun came up bright and clear
as 1t usually Is in those deserts. with a Llaz,
of heat. which was reflected ,,.,m H.. sam, .
bout me. until il seemed 70 l..r,, H.;
bad broad hrinmcd felt hat. with ostrich
feathers round it. which v.~,I,.l %. =, T.
rect rav>: hut still think r.ro. tr. .l
heat more oppressive: pcrb,nS !, w,s h..,,..
| was weak from t.>iinr and want of r.,.
Still kept my self Io>>c>>;on and W.. co,
>tantIv on the watch to take ,d,on.,o,,to.
opportunity for escape. Tb,r. wa. ;,.,
chance that my men p,;,l,. ,,,......
enough to come down IN ,l.d,..,. =
lut believed them to lc ,,, .l;,
ed to approach within quarter ot r,;Io of
lion: and besides. there W., Il, -.,.r.
that the brute f be sbonI,
ing. would sprino unon mo ,n1 1,.
"i''' mt anu put me on
J,ilo1 ;,,.r ill.,,
.of .o,r.o 1r1.L. ~ '""' MS gun
first n,o,;ou m.1a -. =, "''' d. '"'
u. ho.I 49,, -, ','''''''' ''i'''
Mana of +h,. n,,. 49,. =, as u "a!
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h.on ,,on 1..,, :, ''' ""''''' nave
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tho ,,rros+ ron 1o....5 . ','" '"'l'i
zIod r,no on1 ~ ,'''S -''"
exnor;onccd oId ,;on, ROM "'S'
IT, - 'u''''h"" ""
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No ,1oub+ Too ,h., H. ' "a''
;na ~ tho no;o,hou,,, '>'P'' "e
then be worIJ Ioor, - A., ,ru..: '',''
vi 'h'