Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-03-06
An Army Reviewed by aLion.

The author of recent work on Algeria. re-
lates the following incident which occurred while
marching with a body of French troops on their
way to attack the Kabyles
1--WE had ridden carelessly forward, admiring
the view, or specializing on the game to he found
in those mountain passes, when the sudden halt
and the unslinging of oarbines startled US. Push
ing past the rear files, we galloped to the front
Just in time to prevent the sergeant, who led the
advance, firing at noble lion, who, advancing
toward the same path which we were pursuing,
had halted abruptly At our view. He had evil
IDENTIFY come from different direction to the one
we were pursuing, and was making to the very
pile of the mountains whose sombre colors had
excited our curiosity. Five minutes later and
we should not have seen him; but, as it happen
ed. there he Stood evidently very much aston
ished at thus plumping suddenly on so large a
party. We're we to fire, we should doubtless
either kill or mortally wound the animal. To
the first case, all would be well, and we should
be the richer by lions skin; in the second
place, we should be sure to lose one or more
men, and it was responsibility the young Off
Ger in command would not assume. Hastily
giving the order to unsling the carbnes, he closed
up the men with some difficulty, for the horses
were very restive. Ia oese the lion showed a
disposition to attack all were to face toward
him, and it was to be hoped that the general
discharge would prove mortal. If disposed to
let us do SO, we were to pass him quietly.
81 have often heard that the lion by day in no
way resembles the same animal by night. Du-
ring the darkness, seeking his prey where he car
find it, he win attack anything with the greatest
| ferocity; but during the day time, it being its
proper period for sleep, and being BESIDES gene
rally gorged with food, he seldom attacks man.
In the present instance, / had little confidence in
the effect of our fire, for horses, as their RE
ders approached their dreaded enemy, became
more and more alarmed and restive The lion
was, doubtless, the one | had heard roar in the
distance the previous night, and be had been to
the other side, seeking his TODD among the do
| nors of the native tribes near Tenient, from
which he was now returning to his den.
| "Our files well closed up, we neared the lion,
| who showed no symptoms of fear gazsd at us,
not savagely, but apparently with great curiosi
| ty Then he moved his tail to and fro, like a
large cat; and as we neared him he deliberately
sat down on his headquarters, looking then, for
all the world, like queer-coloreG large New
foundland dog. Just as we ranged up with him,
passing by in single file, the horses heads and
tails were together, he opened his huge mouth
with mighty yawn, uttering, as he did so a
sound between a heavy sigh and growl This
he did without rising-and in most sleepy
manner, as though he were supremely Indifferent
to our presence.
''All this time our horses were terribly excl
ted, and my own, jet black Syrian barb, which
had carried me many mile over the plains OF
Wallachna and Roumelio, and who, from bis
intense love of mischief and fighting, had long
since christened Bashi-Bazourk,' was now COM
pletely cowed, and though walking at very
slow pace, his black coat was all white with
foam. Twas not fifteen PAGES from the lion. and
could not resist TIE fancy that seized me to
rein in and look at him. Trembling in every
limb, my horse o5eyed me, and as the rear files
of our escort moved past, contemplated the no.
Bile brute. He was splendid male, of the color
called by the natives the black lion, and which
they say, is the most fierce and terrible of ALL
He seemed sleepy and quiet enough just then,
and did not even look at me. The jangling OF
the mems arms appeared to catch his attention
and it was indeed but moments space that was
allowed me for contemplation, for slight move
on his part caused my horse to bound aside SO as
almost to unhorse me, and when recovered my
seat and my power over my frightened steed,
the sleepy fellow had deliberately lain down, and
resting his noble head on two mighty paws, he
followed US with lis eyes. as we moved slowly
away"