Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-02-27
THE GAZETTE.
,,oxn.v MORNING. FEBRUARY 81, 1860
Az ARMY REVIEWED BY A LION.

MONDAY MURNlNp, rnDR1 -hni - ~
AN ARMY REVIEWED BY A LION.
The author of a recent work OF Algeria, re-
lates the following incident which occurred
while marching with body OF French troops
on their way to attack the kabyles:
1--WE had ridden carelessiy forward aa-
miring the view, or specializing on the game
TO be found in those mountain passes WHEN
the sudden halt and the unslinging OF car
lines startled us. Pushing past the rear
files We palIoped to the front just IN time to
nreyent the sergeant, who led the advance,
firing ut !, noble lion, who, advancing to-
ward the same path which we were pursu-
ing. had halted abruptly at our view. lie
had evidently come from different oifec-
4;on 10 the one we were pursuing. ana was
making to the very pile of the mountains
whose sombre colors had excited our curlosl-
~. Five minutes later and we should rot
have seen him; but, as it happened, there ne
stood, evidently very much astonished at
thus Pumping suddenly ON so large par
ty Were we to fire. We should doubtless
either kill or MORALLY wound the animal
In 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 officer in command would not assume.
Hastily giving the order to unsilng the car
bines, he closed up the men with some uiih-
Guilty, for the horses were very restive. In
case the lion showed disposition TO attack,
all were to face toward him, and 1T was to DE
hoped that the general discharge would
prove mortal. If disposed to let us do 50,
we were to pass him quietly.
IL have often heard that the hon by day
limo way resembles the same animal 10y
night. During the darkness, seeking his
prey where he can find it, evil attack any
thing with the greatest ferocity; but during
the daytime, it being Its proper period Tor
Sleep and being besides generally gorg-
ed with food, he seldom attacks man. In
the present instance, had little confidence
i'm the effect of our fire, for our horses, as
their riders approached their dreaded enemy,
became more and more alarmed and restIye.
The lion was, doubtless, the one had heard
roar in the distance the previous night, and
he had been to the other side, seeking his
food among the donors of the native tribes
near Tenient, from which he was now re-
turning to his den.
''Our files well closed up, We neared the
lion, who showed no symptoms OF fear; g.z-
ed at US, not savagely, but apparently with
great curiosity. Then he moved his tall to
and fro, like large cat; and as We neared
him he deliberately sat down on his hind
quarters, looking then, for all the world, like
a queer-colored large Newfoundland 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 hedid so,
a sound between a heavy sigh and growl.
This he did without rising, and in most
sleepy manner, as though he were supreme
ly Indifferent to our presence.
T"All this time our horses were terribly
excited, and my own, jet black Syrian
barb, which had carried me many u mile
over the plains of Wallachina and Roumello,
and who, from his intense love of mischief
and lighting, had long since christened
Bashi- Bazourk,' was now completely cowed,
and though walking at very slow pace,
his black coat was all white with foam. |
was not fifteen PAGES from the lion, and
could not resist the fancy that seized me to
rein il and look at him. Trembling In eve
ny limb, my horse obeyed me, and as the
rear files ofour escort moved past, contem-
plated the noble brute. lie was a splendid
male, of the color called by the natives the
.'black Hon. and which they say, is the most
fierce and terrible of ell. lie 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 1t
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
frighten ed steed, the sleepy fellow had DELI
berately lain down, and resting his noble
head on two mighty paws, he followed us with
his eyes rs we moved slowly away.