American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-09-10

! 6u"'iou tIeeo ia y ucIWeen us anu our
tent, SO we must strike up into the
wood, upon the higher land, and make
the best of it. Our only weapons were
TWO knives and Lari's spear. The lat
ter no had grasped as he started from
the boat but the rifles and pistols were
at the bottom Of the lake: l bade my
companion to take the lead and he did
so.
For three hours we tugged on thro'
thich matted forest, at the end of
this time we reached the edge of wide
expanse of rocky desert. There we're
cumps Of bushes scattered over the
place but they looked dry and parched.
Here we took an observation, and f.
nally decided to keep down upon the
right hand side of the rocky plain,
knowing that the lake must lie in that
direction. BY the time we had passed
over halfthe length of the barren waste
the sun was behind tho trees. A lit
tic while afterwards, just as the dark
shadows spread over the whole width
of the plain, Lari uttered low 'hist!'
and placed his hand upon my arm.
DO you hear anything?' he asked
me.
Il listened moment, and told him
yes. Perhaps they are coming af-
ter u.s.
who are they?' said he.
Our parity | answered.
That fellow walks on four feet, and
has walk equal to all the men we
have left behind. Hark again.
Il did so, and could now plainly dis
tinguish the tread of some heavy ami
NAL.
Is it lion, do you Think l asked.
Iari hesited moment, and then
grasping me by the arm, he pointed
into the wood.
Look See There = he cried.
WhTling me half around as he spoke.
| 4 did look--and | saw a sight---a
sight that made my hair start and my
heart leap. Not a rife mot even q
iplstol!--and yet there-not twenty
yards distant was huge Nubian lion
crawling towards US. / could see his
long tail sweep the grass, and | could
see that he was advancing for a spring.
Hes hungry said the Nubian, cor
he wouldn be coming on in that way
Then he'll attack us 2 suggested.
'Of course he will
And not a weapon for defence!'
i have my spear, returned Lari.-
Now to the back of these bushes
quick--and let him come. Have your
knife out in case of need
i hardly knew what my companion
meant, but | saw just upon our left,
eump of bushes bearing small red
berry. There we're not over four feet
high, and occupicdssa spnce some eight
feet long by four vide. When we
had gained position behind them, |
looked for the lion. lie had stopped
as he saw us take this covert but we
were not hidden from his sight, as
there were openings in the foliage
through which both parties could ob.
tain view of each other.
'We are goncp said trembling with
fear as | saw the huge monster settle
upon his belly and movo towards US.
perhaps not, whispered Lari, with
out taking his eyes from the lion.--
keep stiil~-don't move for your lifel
But what can you do with that
spear! asked.
/ Perhaps nothing; but wait and sec.'
4 did wait; but though it was but
few moments yet it was season of
terrible suspense TO me. | am not q
coward, nor was / ever one--but come
to be situated as / was then, with full
grown lion before you--not twenty
yards of-and only little patch Of
bushes for an apology for a shelter
through which the beast could watch
your movement, and with unearthly,
purring, roaring growl hardly percop.
tible in tone, but making the air trem.
BILE with its intensity--bave all this, as
u had it then, and if you don't trem.
bic then you're made Of sterner stuff
than | am.
| Once cast my eyes upon Lari, who
was at my right, and | saw that he
was as calm as rock. His great
brown eye was fixed upon the lion
with burning gaze, and his teeth
we're set like the jaws Of vice. lie
vas upon his right knee with his left
foot braced boforo him, and his long
spear which he held with firm grasp
'ad the end Of the shaft set against the
ard ground behind him with the sharp
teol head elevated just to the top of
| nf. hnshna