Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-04-01
VOL. 3.--NC. 80.
JULES GERARD.
TIE LToS-KrLLER or ALGERIA.


as be tells us, watched six hundred nights for
the lion. Ue had such signal success in lion
hunting that he was continually sent for by
Arab tribes TO deliver them from the destroyer
of their cattle, and he seems to have been grad
ually drawn into the sole business of killing
lions business, however, for which he never
would accept any remuneration whatever. He
was genuine hunter, and natural death shot
or his first encounter with the lion Mr.. Ge-
rard remarks: sThe heavy roar of the lion
sounded in the ravine below. / was so wild
with delight that sprang into the woods to
run straight TO the hon, followed by my two
comrades. When the sound ceased paused
TO wait. Bou-Azz and Ben Oumbark were
close on my heels, pale as two spirits, and ges-
ticulatng to each other that had gone mad.
In few moments more the lion rosred again,
about o hundred PAGES distant, when rushed
forward in the direction of the sound, with the
impetuosity of a wild boar, instead of the pru-
dence OF hunter
s'In a moment more l heard heavy steps on
the leaves that carpeted the woods, and tho
rubbing of a large body against the trees that
bounded the clearing. knew it was the lion
right to where We stood.
"The lion slowly approached, and could
measure with my senses the distance that sep
arated US. Now / heard his steps--now his
rustling against the trees-2nd now his heavy
and regular breathing. I stepped one OF two
PAGES farther forward, toward the edge of the
/ opening, where he was to come out, to have
/ clCsc a shot as possible. i could still hear his
! steps at thirty PAGES distant, then at twenty,
/ then at Fifteen, and yet was all the while a.
| fraid lest he might turn back, or in some man
/ ner avoid me, or that my gun might miss Gre.
What If he should turn aside What if he
| should not come out of the woods2 With cv-
/ cry new sound my heart beat in heavy ;hrobs
with the intoxjcation of hope. Now all tho
/ life in my body rushed through my veins, then
/ again my very life was stilled 10y the emotion.
/ "The lion after q momcntary pause, that ap-
| peared to me age, started again. and could
| see the slender tops Of tree, whose base he
| brushed, trembling as he passed almost within
! sight. Now no more barrier between and
him but the thick foliage of a single tree
But still the animal did not show himself, and
l began TO fear lest he should have the instinct
of my presence, and, instead of walking slowly
| out, would clear the mastic tree with a single
| bound.
| GAS if to justify my fears, he commenced
| growing, at first with two or three cultural
| sighs, and then increasing to the full force of
his voice. There in the solemn forest oI a
! thicket from whence are coming roafs that
would drown the roll OF the thunder, thought
/
/ the strength of hundred men in his single
arm, and that kills without nercy when he is
not killed himself.
"When l heard the lion making his las;
steps, moved little TO one side. His cnor-
nous head came out from the dense foliage,
as he stepped with commanding grace iato
the light Of the open glade, and then he halt.
ed, half exposed, half concealed, while his
great eyes dilated on me with look of aston
ishnent. / took my aim between the eye and
ear, end pressed the trigger. From that In
stant, until the report of the piece, my heart
absolutely ceased to beat. With the explosion
of the gun, the smoke shut out everything
| from my view, but long roar of agony stuan-
ed my ear, and frightened the forest.
ssMy two Arabs sprung to their feet, out
without moving from their places, waited
with one knee on the ground, and my poinard
in my hand, until the smoke that obscured ths
view should diSsipate. Then saw, gradually,
first paw-and, heavens what = paw for
living beast-then a shoulder, then the dishev-
cled name, and at last the whole lion stretched
ont on his side without sign of life.
Beware don't go near himl' shouted
Bou-Aziz, as he threw large stone at the
bodyi il fell on its head and bounced o1 The
lion 1cas dead That was the evening of the
eighth OF July, lSi4.
"Without giving me time to approach my
prize, the Arabs sprang upon me like two mad
men, and was nearly thrown down and crush
ed by their transports of joy and gratitude.
! After me, it came the lions turn and they
overwhelmed him with recriminafions and
blows, and then from time to time fired their
guns in the air, to spread the glad tidings to
the distant douars. After they had leaned,
and gam5oled, and hnrrahed over the auimal.
was permitted TO draw near him, and exam
Inc nm at my case, to look at the size of his
teeth, to measure the strength of bis limbs
and place my hand on his tauny maue. had
no difficulty in recognizing hia by the Arab
description Of he rensra5ls."
APPRopRIArE M:srAKE-A dancirr pas&.-