The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-07-01
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ENCOUNTER WITH A LIONESS,"


To those who regard the chase as a sport
in the usual acceptalion of the term, the nd
ventures of Mr.. Gordon Cumming. in his
hunting eTfl;t.on in South Af,;ca, will oc-
casion establishment. His preparation of
wagons, oxen, horses, attendants, his proyis-
ions and ammunition; gecm rather intended
for warlike invasion than an expedition az
fording the amusement to be anticipated from
hunting. Ills encounter with the fe!ocious
animals which inlabit the interior of Africa,
reminds us of the terrible conflicts between
armed knights and dragons ofwhich we read
in romance. Indeed, the war of Mr.. Gum.
ming against the lions, Elephants, buffalo,
r.vt: horses, girafies and jackals; possessed
n, other attribute of a similar expedition a.
gainst the insignificant animals of Tie Ameri-
can forests: and the very use of the terms of
vcner e are so far cverscd tlat tie chase con-
sists very frequently ofthe flight Of the terri
lied hunter and the pursuit Of the cnragtd
game"
Suddenly I observed number ocvuturcs
seated on the plain about quarter of a mile
ahead of US, and close beside them stood a
huge lioness, consuming blesbok which she
had killed. She was assisted in her rcpast
by about a dozen jackals, which were feast
Ing along with her in the most friendly and
confidential manner. Directing my follow
eIs' attention to the spot, remarked, II seed
the lion;" to which they replied, "whar?"
''whar!" "Iah!" Almigtig dat is he: and
instantly rcigning in their St,cds and wheel
ing about, they pressed their heels to their
horses sides, and were preparing to betake
themselves to flight. l asked them what
they were going to do. TO which they an
swcred, eve have not yet placed caps on our
rifles" This was true; but while this short
conversation was passing the lioncss had OBJ
served us. Raising her full, round face, she
ovcrhaulcd us for few seconds, and then set
of at a smart cantcr toward mountains some
miles to the northward, the whole troop of
.jackals also started off in another direction;
there was, therefore, no time to think ofcaps.
The first move was to bring her to bay, and
not second was to be lost. Squirting my
good and lively stc,d, and shouting to my
men to follow flew across the plain, and be-
ing fortunately mounted on Colcsberg, the
flower ofmy stud, gained upon her at every
stride. This was to me joyful moment,
and at once made up my mind that she or
must die. The lioncss having had a consid-
cradle start of me, we went over a considcra-
bic extent of ground before come up with
her. She was large full grown beast and
the bare and level nature of the plain added TO
the noble appearance. Finding that gained
upon her, she reduced her cantcr to trot,
carrying her tail stuck out behind her, ard
Slowed little to one side. / shouted loudly
to her to halt, at ! wished to speak to her,
upon which she suddenly pulled up, and sat
on her launches like dog, with her back to-
ward me, not even deigning to look round.
She then appeared to say to herself, "Does
this fellow know who he is after?" Having
thus sat for half minute, as if involved in
thought, she sprang to her feet, and facing
about, stood looking at me for a few seconds,
moving herself slowly from side to side,
showing her teeth and growing fcrccly.
She next made a short run forward, making
loud rumbling noise, like thunder. This
she did to intimidatc me; but finding that
did not finch an inch, nor seem to heed her
hostile demonstration, she quietly stretched
out her massive arms and lay down on the
grass. My lIottentots now coming up, we
all three dsmountcd, and drawing our rifles
from their holsters, we looked to see if the
powder was up in the nipples. and put on
our caps. While this was doing the lioncss
sat up, and showed evident symptoms ofun-
casiness. She looked first at us, and then
behind her, as if 10 see if the coast was clear;
after which she made short run toward us,
utterng her deep-drawn, murdcrous growls.
Having secured the three horses to one anoth-
or by their reins, we led them on as if we in
tended to pass her, in the hope of obtaining
a broadside But this she carefully avoided
to expose, presenting only her full front. l
had given Stofalus my Moore rifle, in order to
shoot her ifshe should spring upon me, but
on no account to fire before me. Klcinboy
was to stand ready to hand me my Purdcy
rifle, in case the two grooved Dixon should
not prove sufficient. My men as yet had
been steady, but they were in precious stew,
their faces having assumed a ghastly paleness,
and had a painful feeling that could place
no reliance on them.
Now then, for it; neck or nothing She
is within sixty yards Of us, and she keeps adj
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 in the twinklirg of an
eye she was in the midst of us, At this mo-
mcnt Stofolus' rifle exploded in his hand, and
Klineboy, whom had ordered to stand ready
by me, danced about like duck in gale of
wind. The lioness sprang upon Colcsberg,
AMI fearfully laceratcd his ribs and launches
with her horrid teeth and claws; the worst