Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-06-13

From the Adventures of Gerard. the Lion Xii
ler." in ten years campaign among the wild
animals Of Northern Africa the following is Ia.
ken:
~ LION KILLED ON Ms OWN HEARrHsroNg."
Knowing how sound the lion sleeps after he
had well eaten; hoped to be able to reach her
while still in dreamand, and awaken her only by
the ringing of my rifle. So / advanced slowly,
step by step, with my body bent, and MY eye
following the tracks or scanning the ihicket.-
Sometimes thorn would catch my shirt and hold
me back, sometimes vine had fastened its
strong tendrill across my path, and would have
to stop TO free myself with the greatest caution
on hands and knees glide under the obstruc-
ton
Finally, came to "A halt before an olive tree
closer than of the others. in whose low sweep
ing branches tho lioness had glided, crouching
like myself. In vain tried to behind these
branches; they formed an impenetrable veil that
shut out all the eyes from the lady's bower. |
certain she must be here, it was directly in
the middle Of the grove, which was not a large
one, and as had been all around it was sure
that she had not passed out after entering It.
As tho conviction forced itself upon my mind,
my heart beat SO full with emotion that | was
obliged to keep quiet FOR Il moment or two, that
my blood might flow on in its accustomed course.
When became perfectly collected again, |
carefully pushed aside the branches that impeded
my view with the end of my gun. was right
there lay the loness only five steps from me,
stretched on her side, with her head pillowed on
paw, dreaming in perfect quiet, with the soft
respirations of n girl ia her slumbers.
made ready to fire. but when my gun was at
my shoulder, and my eye ran along the barrel,
found myself in most perplexing situation.
The lion was lying in such manner that |
could see tho whole of her form. and yet, being
obliged to fire while kneelng. feared lest the
horizontal position Of her body should injure my
shot.
In dangerous position, haste or delay are
equally bad; but inspiration came to my mind To
free me from my troubles. and adopted bold
course. Rather than send doubtful ball into
the jaws of the animal or into the uncertain re-
gion ofthe heart, resolved to awaken tho lio
ness and only shoot her when she should raise
herself up. In order that her awaking might be
cnlm and natural, proceed with the greatest eau
ton. While my left hand held my gun to my
shoulder, with the right broke a little twig at
my side.
The lioness slept on. broke another little
louder. Hardly had my hand reached the trigger
before the lioness was on her belly Her eyes
lazily opened, ears lain bnck on her head,
her lips movedGp and down, and her glance,
fearful with its fixed intensity wandered around
her chamber to seek tho cnuse of the underlined
Before she saw me- sighted her right ear and
fired.
The smoke of my gun lay so heavy in the air
that ! could not see before me, but heard a
short s'rauged roar, that sounded like good o.
men, Soon could see the lioness stretch ID ont
where sho was laying when fired.
Her sides heaved and her feet moved back
aud forward with quick conclusive motion.
saw in an instant that she was only stunned,
and would be "A hpr fact in a rnnnent
hastily wound my iurban around my arm, and
sprang into the cover. Without loosing a mo.
ment,i placed.the muzzle of my gun to her head
and fired. The bold spirit that ruled the woods
was qnenohed with the report OF my gun, and her
graceful form lay at my feet corpse.
found my first ball had entered at the corner
OF the eye, and gone out at the top of the head,
Factoring the skull without, piercing it.
In an hour after my shots had been heard, this
part OF the forest heretofore silent and Sacred
was invaded by crowd Of Arabs, with thous-
and wild cries and songs, placed the body of the
loness on rough litter, and bore il in state to
| the douar. There il was lain out upon a mat in
the centre of the village. black bull was killed
| IN honor OF the patron Saiat. Sid Amar, and the
| entire night devoted to festivities.
II was aspectacie worthy of an artists pencil,
and fantastic and memorable even to an eye that
was used to the daily life of the nomads.
SPARE THE BIRDS. Boys, let the birds alone,
| Watch them, study them, love them and protect
themb do not seek amusement in slaughtering
these beautiful tenants of the groves. Do you
askwhy! Because
| l. They have right to i've He who crea
ted these joyous birds, and without whose notice
sparrow falls not to the ground, doubtless made
mem To iive and to enjoy hfe-not to bs ruth
less'y torn to pieces by powder and shot, for the
amusement of idle boys
:. Alive, they contribute largely to the gener
al stock OF happiness but dead, they are of no
use TO any body. By their gay punage, their
elegant forms their graceful iii ghts, their socable
shirpings and their sweet song they Gil the wood
ana heids with gladness, and make the solitary
places rejoice. What would summer be. were
there no birds!
3. They are entitled to protection on the score
OF their usefulness The occasional depredatons
they make upon the farmers field aud trees. are
the merest peccadlllos. compared with the un,ir
ing service they render in the destruction of
nox'ous insects. 1t is estimated that one swat
low VIII destroy nine hundred insects in one duv
| inc alarming increase of the insect plaques Of
late years, call loudly for the protection of the
| birds " '''
| a. The shooting ofharmless little birds is :,
cruel, hardening and despicable amusement. 1t
Is uouo'y mean when followed early in the sum.
mer' before or during the breeding season.
| D. 1t is dangerous amusement Ii has been
sad by one who has paid much attention to the
SUBJECT thai more persons fall by their own
hands and by the hands of their companions.
whle engaged in this wicked and cruel sport, than
are executed for murder, or that fall beneath the
potts OF the lighting Of the thunder. 80 Ne,p Eng
fand Farmer, May 2lth.
according to lialer, women bear hunger better
.nan men; according to Plutarch they can resist
,he enecIs OF wine better according to Huger,