Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-08-06
Encounter with a LiOness.

ting expedition in South Africa will occasion
astonishment His preparation of wagons,
oxen, horses, attendants, his provision and
ammunition, seem rather intended for a war
like invasion than an expedition affording the
amusement TO be anticipated from hunting.
His encounters with the ferocious animals
which inhabit interior Africa, remind US of
the terrible conflicts between armed knights
aud dragons Of which We read in romance.
Indeed the war of Mr. Cumming against the
lions, elephants, buffalo, river horses, giranes,
and jackals, possesses no one attribute of
similar expedition against the insignificant an
imals Of the American forest; and the very
use of the terms of venerie are so far reversed
that the chase consists very frequently of the
eight Of the terrified hunter and the pursuit
of the enraged game"
Suddenly observed number Of vutures
seated ON the plain about quarter of mile
ahead of us, and close beside them stood
huge lioness, consuming blesbok which she
had killed. She was assisted in her repast
by about dozen jackals, which were feasting
along with her in the most friendly and con-
fidental manner. Directing my followers
attention to the spot, l remarked, 4 see the
lion; to which they replied, 'Whar whar?
Yah! Almagtig! dat is he;' and instatly rein
ing in their steeds and wheeling about. they
pressed their heels to their horses sides, and
were preparing to betake themselves TO fight
| asked them what they were going to do.
To which they answered, awe have not yet.
placed caps on our rifles" This was true;
but while that short conversation was passing
the lioness had observed u.s. Raising her
full, round face, she overhauled us for few
seconds, and then set off at smart canter
towards a range of mountains some miles to
the northward; the whole troop of jackals
also started off in another dreCtion; there
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. Squirting my good
and lively steed, and shouting to my men to fol
low, flew across the plain, being fortunate.
ly mounted on Coesberg, the flower of my
stud, gained upon her at every stride This
was to me a joyful moment, and L at once
made up my mind that she or l must die.
The lioness having had long start of me,
we went over a considerable extent of ground
before / came up with her. She was large,
full-grown beast, and the bare and level Ra-
ture Of the plain added to her imposing appca-
rance Finding that gained upon her, she
reduced her pace from a canter to trot car
rying her tail stuck out behind her, and swc H.
ed "a little to ore side. l shouted loudly to her
which she suddenly pulled up, and sat
on her lunches like dog, with her back to-
ward me, not even deigning to look round.
She then appeared to say to herself, "Docs
this fellow know who he is after?" Having
thus sat for half a minute, as if involved in
thought, she sprang to her feet and facing
about, stood looking at me for few seconds,
moving her tail slowly from side TO side, show
ing her teeth, and growing fercely' She
next made short run forward making
loud, grumblng noise, like thunder. This
she did to intimidatc me; but, finding that
did not finch an inch, nor seem to heed her
hostile demonstrations,she quietly stretched out
her massive arms and lay down on the grass.
My Hottentots now coming up, we all three
dismounted, and drawing our rifles from their
holsters, we looked to see if the powder was
up in the nipples, and pu. on our caps.
While this was doing the ioness sat up, and
showed evident symptoms of uneasiness.-
She locked first at US, and then behind her
as if to see if the coast was clear; after which
she made short run toward US, uttering her
deep drawn murderous growls. Having Sc
cured the three horses to one another by their
reins, we led them on as if we intended to
pass her, in the hope of obtaining broadsde
But this she carefully avoided to expose, pre-
senIRg enly her full front. ! had given Sto-
folus my Moore rife, with orders to shoot
her if she should spring upon me, bat on no
| account to fire before me. Kleinboy was 20
stand ready te hand me nay Purdy rifle, III
case the two-groved Dixon should not prove
sufficient. Ny men as yet had been steady,
but they were in precious stew, their faces
having assumed ghastly paleness, and had
a painful feeling that could place no reli-
ance on them.
Now, then. for it; neck or nothing She
is within sixty yards of us, and she Keeps ad-
vancing. We turned the horses tails to her.
| knelt on one side, and taking a steady aim
at her breast, let fly. The ball cracked loud
ly on her tawny hide, and crippled her in the
shoulder, upon which she charged with an
appalling roar, and ia the twinkling of an eye
she was in the midst Of us. At this moment
Stofelus's rifle exploded in his hand, and Klein
boy, whom had ordered to stand ready by
me, danced about like duck in a gale of
"ihu' AHS tohSSo hPSh SOiOSOCiS ~
and fearfully lacerated his ribs and launches
with her horrid teeth aud claws; the worst
wound was on his haunch, which exhibited a
sckning, yawning cash, more than twelve in
ches long, almost laying bare the very bone.
was very cool and steady, and did not feel
in the least degree nervous, having fortunately
great confidence in my own shooting; but
must confess when the whole affair was over
felt that it was very awful situation, and
attended with extreme peril, as l had no
friend with me on whom could rely.
When the lioness sprang on Colesberg
stood out from the horses, ready with my sec
ond barrel for the first chance she should give
me Of a clear shot This she quickly did for
seemingly satisfied with the revenge she had
now taken, she quilted Colesberg, and, slewing
her tail to one side. trotted sulkily past within
few PAGES of me, taking one step to the left.
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