Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-12-04
JULES GERARD;
Or, the Lion Killers First Adventure
with Lion.

! NJ. Gerard was, originally, private II
one of the dragoon regiments Of the Frenci
army in Algiers, which province was the
scene of his exploits. He spent ten year:
in Africa, and. as he tells US, watched 81,
hundred nights for the lion. He had such
signal success in lion-hunting. that he was
continually sent fer by Arab tribes to de-
liver them from the destroyer of their cattle
and he seems to have been gradually drawn
into the sole business Of killing lions; a
business. however, for which he never would
accept any remuneration whatever. He
was genuine hunter, and aaIural dead
shot.
NJ Gerard remarks at great length on his
first encounter with lion. Long had he
ranged the forest in the search, and many
night had vainly watched by the paths
leading from the lions lair to the cattle fold.
Happily for the ArnbS there are not many
lions. In the course Of ten years hunting
NJ. Gerard only saw twenty five, and his
first lion was unusually long in making his
appearance. The Arabs, and particularly
the Arab women, made no secret of their
contempt for the Christian dog, who sup
posed that with his single arm he could lay
low the terrific animal, which often had
kept at bay the hunters of whole tribe.
Hear NJ. Gerard narrate the conclusion OF
the long adventure:
Already night drew the curtains of the
earth. Distant objects disappeared, and
nearer ones assumed dusky hue, while the
shadows blackened in the forests under the
cork-,rees. | knew that there was no
moon that night, and yet each minute short
ened the twilight, and nothing announced
The coming OF the Ion, unless, perchance,
it might be the absence of the wild boars
that were usully roofing in the forest glades.
can hardly tell the anguish anu anxiety
that tortured my mind. counted and re-
counted the days that had passed since |
left the camp, and | came to the conclu-
sion that must 90 back on the morrow,
and this time with no hope Of ever trying
the chase again.
My companions, harrassed by dangers,
and worn out with fatigues. were anxious
to avoid passing the night in beating the
mountain paths, and had risen from the turf
where they were stretched, with the inten-
tion of leaving. Bou-Aziz pointed to the
stars that were already burning brightly in
the sky, and said:
alt is too late to meet him here-he has
are .dy left the woods for the plains, by
some other path"
. could not bear to leave, though | saw
my com panions shoulder their guns and start.
"You can CO." said; 81 will follow you
by-and-by."
TEey had hardly taken steps, when the
deep roar of the lion sounded in the ravne
below. Twas so wild with delight, that,
not thinking Of the condition Of my gun, |
sprang into the WOODS to run straight to the
lion, followed BY ny two comrades. When
the sound csa1aL.. paused to wait.
Bou-Aziz and Ben-Oumbark were close
on my heels, pale as two spirits, and ges-
ticulating to each other that had gone
mad. In few moments more the lion
roared again, about hundred PAGES distant,
when rushed forward in the direction of
the sound, with the impetuosity of a wild
boar, instead of the prudence of hunter.
When the roar ceased, | made another
halt in small opening, where ! was re-
Joined by my two companions. The dog,
that unit il then did not seem to understand
what was required Of him, threw up his
nose in the air, and with his brstles raised,
and his tail low, commenced taking a scent
tba, he followed into the woods. In little
while after he came running back, all
doubled up with fear, and crouched himself
between my legs.
In moment more heard heavy steps on
the leaves that carpe,ed the woods, and the
rubbing of a large body against the trees
that bounded the clearing. | knew it was
the lion that had risen from his lair, and
was coming right to where we stood.
Bou-A -Aziz and the spahi stood with their
guns to the er shoulders, awaiting the coming
struggle with firm hearts. | motioned them
to a mastic tree, few steps behind me, en-
joining them with my hand to remain there.
These brave fellows were deserving of
the highest honor, for in spite of their NOR
tai fear, they would not leave me alone
You may call this kind of courage by what
name YOU please, but consider it one of
the strongest tests of mans mind, to re-
main quiet spectator of a doubtful combat,
when his own life depends upon the issue.