Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-01-14
.ENcoUNTER WITH A LIoNFss.*

Gordon Cumming in his hunting expedition in
South Africa, will occasion establishment His prep
aration of wagons oxen horses attendants, his pro-
vision and ammunition, seem rather intended for a
warhke invasion than an expedition affordng the
amusement to be anticipated from hunting. His
encounters with the ferocious animals which inhabit
interior Africa, remind of the terrible conflicts
s between armed knights and dragons of which we
read in romance. Indeed, the war of Mr.. Cumming
against the lions, elephants bualos, river horses,
graffes, and jackas, possesses attribute of
similar expedition against the insignificant animals
of the American forests; and the very use of the
terms of veneric far reversed that the chase
consists very frequently of the flight Of the terrified
hunter and the pursuit of the enraged "game."
Suddenly observed q number of vulturcs seated
on the plain about quarter of a mile ahead of us,
and close beside them stood huge loness, consum-
ing blesbok which she had killed. She was assis-
ted in her repast by about dozen jackais, which
fcasting along with her in the most friendly
and confidential manner Directing MY followers
attention to the spot, remarked g see the lion )"
to which they replied "Whar? wiIar? Yah! lAlmag-
tg! dat is he and instantly refining in their seeds
and wheeling about they pressed their heels to their
horses sides, and were preparing to bctake them
selves to flight. l asked them what they were 60
ing to do. 10 which they answered, 1--WE have
not yet placed caps our rifles" This was true
but while this short conversation was passing the
ioness had observed Raising her full, round
face, she overhauled us for few seconds and then
set OFT at smart canter toward range of mountains
some miles to the northward; the whole troop of
jackals also started off in another direction; there
was, therefore, time to think of caps The first
move to bring her to bay, and not second was
to be lost. SpuITlng my good and lively steed and
shouting to my men to follow, flew the plain,
and being fortunately mounted on Colesberg, the
flower OF my stud, gained upon her at every stride
This was to me joyful moment, and at once made
up my mind that she or l must die.
The liOnCss having had long start of me we went
over considerable extent OF ground before came
up with her. She was a large, ful-grown beast
and the bare and level nature OF the plain added
borj u,D |
upon her. she reduced her pace from cantcr to trot
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 sud-
denly pulled up, aN1 sat on her launches like dog
with her back toward Inc, not even del gring to LOOK
round. She then appeared to say to herself, Does
this fellow know who he is after?" Having thus sat
for half a minute, as If involved i'll thought, she
sprang to her feet, and, facing about stood look ing
at for few seconds, moving her tail slowly from
side to side, showing her teeth, and growing fierce
ly. She next made a short run forward, making a
loud rumbling noise, like thunder. This she did
intimidatc me- but finding that did not finch an
inch seem to heed her hostile demonstrations
she quietly stretched out her massive arms and Law
down on the grass My Hottentots now coming up,
we all three disnountcd, and, drawing rifles
from their holsters, we looked to if the powder
was up in the nipple, and put on our caps. While
this doing the loness sat up, and showed evil
dent symptoms of uneasincss She looked first at
u.s. and then behind her. if to if the coast We're
clcar after which she made short toward
us, uttering deep-drawn, murderous growls. HAY
ing secured the three horses another by their
rheims, led them if we intended to pass
her. i'll the hope of obtaining broadsidc. But this
she carefully avoided to expose presenting only her
full front. l had given Stofous my Moore rifle
with orders TO shoot her if she should spring upon
me, but account to fire before me- Keinboy
was to stand ready to hand me my Purdcy rifle in
case the wo-groovcd Dixon should not prove sufI-
Gent My men as yet had been steady, but they
were in precious stew, their faces having assumed
CHASTITY paeness, and had painful feeling that | /
could place no reliance in them.
Now, then, for it neck or nothing! She is with
in sixty yards cf us, and she keeps advancing. We |
turned the horses tails to her l knelt side,
and, taking steady aim at her breast, let fly. The
ball cracked loudly her tawny hide, and crippled
ler in the shoulder, upon which she charged with
IN appalling roar, and in the twnkling OF an eye
she was in the midst of us. At this moment Stofo-
uss rife exploded in his hand, and klenboy, whom
had ordered to stand ready by me, danced about
ike duck in a gale of wind The loness sprang
lpon Cocsbcrg and fearfully laceraed his ribs and
launches with her horrd teeth and claws: the worst
wound on his haunch, which exhibited a sick
,nng, yawninG cash, more than twelve inches long,
Utmost laying bare the very bone. was very cool
md steady and did not feel in the least degree ner
-ous having fortunately great confidence in my own
but mast confess, when the whole affair
vas over, felt that it was very awful situation,
md attended with extreme peril as had no friend
With whom could rely.
When the lioneSs sprang on CoieSberg, stood out
rom the horses ready with my second barrel for
he first chance she should give me of clear shot.
This she quickly did; for, seemingly satisfied with
he revenge she had taken, she quilted Coesberg,
nd, Slowing her tail to one side, took one step to
he left. l pitched my rifle to my shoulder, and in
mother second the lioness stretched on the plain
lifeless corpse In the struggles of death she had
alf turned on her back, and stretched her neck and
ore-arms convus;vely, when she fell back to her
ormer position her mighty arms hung powerless
~ her side her lower jew fell, blood streamed from
Ter mouth, and she expired At the moment fired
nv second shot, Stofolus, who hardly knew whether
&c was alive OF dead allowed the three horses to
ape These galoped frantcaly across the plain,
n which he and Kleinboy instantly started after
hem, leaving me standing alone and unarmed with
few PAGES of the lioncss, which they, from their
nxiety to be out of the way, evidently considered
ute capable of doing further mischief
Such is ever the with these worthless, and
18th nearly all the natives of South Africa. No
ance can be placed on them. They will to GER
linty forsake their master in the most dastardy
lanner in the hour of peril, and leave him in the
lrch. stranger, however, hearing these fellows
their own gallant adventures, when sit
ng in the evening along with their comrades round
blazing fire, under the influence of their adored
Cape Smoke" native brandy, might fancy them
be the bravest of the brave. Having skinned the
oness and cut off her head, we placed her trophies
pom Beauty and held for camp. Before had
roceeded hundred yards from the carcass, upwards
sixty vulturcs, whom the lioncSs had often fed,
ere feasting on her remains.
From five Years of a Hunters Life in the far In
rior of South Africa, by G. Cumming, Taylor &
Taury, booksellers, Pennsylvania avenue.