Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-01
The African Black k-Maned Lion.

" One day, when eating my dinner, was
interrupted by the arrival of several natives,
who related that an ongeama, or lion, had just
killed one of their goats close to the mission
station (Richterfelt, and begged of me to lend
them hand in destroying the beast. They had
so often cried wolf that did not give much
heed to their statements; but, as they persisted
in their story, at last determined to ascertain
its truth. Having strapped to my waista shoot
ing belt containing the several requisites of
hunter-such as bullets, caps, knife, etc., 1
shouldered my trusty double -barreled gun (after
loading it with steel-pointed calls), and follow
ed the men.
&C In short time we reached the spot where
the lion was believed to have taken refuge.
This was in dense tamarsk brake, of some
considerable extent, situated partially on and
below the sloping banks of the Swakop, near to
its junction with the Omutenna one of its trib-
utaries. On the rising ground, above the brake
in question, were drawn up in battle array
number of Damaras and Mamaquas, some arm
ed with assegais and few with guns. Others
of the party were in the brake itself endcavor-
ing to oust the lion. But. as it seemed to me
that the beaters were timid, and moreover,
somewhat slow in their movements, I called
them back; and, accompanied by only one or
two persons, as also few worthless dogs, en-
tered the brake myself. 1t was rathera danger
GUS proceeding for, in places, the cover was
50 thick and tangled as to oblige me to creep on
my hands and knees. and the lion, in conse-
quence, might easily have pounced upon me
without a moments warning. AT that time,
however had not obtained any experimental
knowledge of the old saying burnt child
breads the fire, and therefore felt little or no
apprehension.
g Thus had proceeded for some time when
suddenly, and within few PAGES of where |
stood, heard low, angry growl, which caus-
ed the dogs to stink behind my heels Immedi-
ately afterward a tremendous shout of On
geama Ongeamas' was raised by the natives
on the bank above, followed by a discharge of
firearms. Presently, however, all was still
again; for the lion, after showing himself on
to it,
Once more | attempted to dislodge the
beast; but, finding the enemy awaiting him in
the more open country, he was very 10th to
leave his stronghold. Again, however, sue
ceeded in driving him to the edge of the brake,
where, as in the first instance, he was received
with a volley; but broomstick would have
been equally cficacious as a gun in the hands
of these people; for, out of a great number of
shots that were fired, not one seemed to have Ia
ken effect.
"Worn out at length by my exertions, and
disgusted beyond measure at the way in which
the natives bunged the affair, l left the brake,
and, rejoining them on the bank above, offered
to change places with them but my proposal,
as expected, was forthwith declined.
" As the day however was now fast drawing
to close, determined to make one other effort
to destroy the lion, and should that prove un-
successful, to give up the chase. Accordingly,
accompanied by only single native, l again
entered the brake which I examined for some
time without seeing anything ; but on arriving
at that part of the cover we had first searched,
and when in a spot comparatively free from
bushes, up suddenly sprung the beast within
few yards of me. 1t was Il black-maned lion,
and one of the largest ever remember to have
encountered in Africa. But his movements
were so rapid, so silent and smooth withal, that
it was not until he had partially entered the
thick cover (at which time he might have been
thirty PAGES distant) that | could fire. On
receiving the ball he wheeled short about, and, ,
with terrific roar, bounced toward me. When
within few PAGES, he couched as if about to
spring having his head embedded, so to say,
between his forepaws.
/ drawing large hunting-kn knife and slipping
it over the wrist of my right hand, | dropped
on one knee, and, thus prepared awaited his
OhnCb' IL NuS an aNihi hiUiuSuU VI suspcllbt i,
and my situation was critical in the extreme
Still my presence of mind never for moment
lorsook mc-indeed, felt that nothing but the
most perfect cooness and absolute selfcommand
would be of any avail.
" would now have become the assailant ;
but as-owing to the intervening bushes, and
clouds of dust raised by the lions lashing his
tail against the ground-l was unable to see his
head, while to aim at any other part would
have been madness, rcfrained from firing
While intently watching his every motion, he
suddenly bounded toward me but, whether it
was owing to his not perceivigg me, partially
concealed as was in the long grass-or to my
instinctively throwing my body on one side--or
to his miscalculating the distance-in making
his last spring he went clear over me, and
alighted on the ground three or four PAGES be-
yond. Instantly, and without rising, wheeled
round on my knee, and discharged my second
barrel and as his broadside was then to-
warde me, lodged II ball in his shoulder,
which 1t completely smashed. On receiving
my second fire, he made more determined rush
at me; but, owing to his disabled state, hap
PLY avoided him. 1t was however, only by a
hairs breadth, for he passed me within arms
length He afterward scrambled into the thick
cover beyond, where, as night was then ap-
preaching, ! did not deem it prudent to pursue
him.
"Atan early hour on thenext morning, how
ever, we followed his 'spoor, and soon came to
the spot where he had passed the night The
sand here was one patch of blood and the
bushes Immediately about were broken and