, 1862-10-23
Fight between a Lion and Gorilla.

On the second day of the hunt, it being exces-
sively warm aud our party exceedingly thirsty,
four Of our attendants were sent out in different
directions in pursuit Of water, while the rest Of
the party were TO remain where they were till their
return, or until reasonable time for their return
had expired.
In about an hour one Of the scouts came in and
reported the discovery Of spring Of water. One
by one the other three returned, not having met
with similar success and we all started in the
direction indicated bythe guide. As we approached
the spot, we were all startled by the appearance
Of huge lion, evidently intent upon the same err
rand as ourselves
Fearing an attack, orr party hastily sought re-
fuge among the branches Of large tree near at
hand. From our position we could now see the
spring. situated in the centre Of little valley and
the lion as he forced passage through the under
brush towards it. fM
At this moment our attention was called in an
opposite direction by the appearance Of a huge
brown creature, much resembling human being
10 its formation and movements. Sometimes il
walked erect and sometimes 1t was down, seemingly
on Ell fours, the former position being maintained
only while the creature was making its way through
the thicket Of the underbrush.
"The gorillal the gorillAp whispered the Prince,
clutching at my elbow, for we were staning side
by side on the same limb.
The two beasts were approaching the spring
from opposite directions and i was evident nom
their now cautious movements that each understood
the strength and ferocity Of his opponent.
We now noticed for the first time that the 60
rilla was armed with heavy club, which he en-
ployed to steady himself with while moving in an
upright position. Whether either Of them had
seen us, we, Of course, had no means Of knowing.
At all events they were too much bent upon effect
ing defeat aud chastisement to each other TO pay
any great attention to us.
The lion was creeping slowly and cautiously
forward, as though in the act Of springing upon
his adversary; while the gorilla, instead Of re-
treating still advanced, his head bent forward, and
his long white tushes glistening in the sun, He
was hideous-looking brute; every expression Of
the diabolical face denoted ferocity and cunning.
He was evidently prepared for the assault Of the
lion, and determined to make up in strategy what
be might lack in strength.
Our little party watched their movements with
the deepest interest, only hoping that the conflict
might end IN the destruction Of both. l.o
The cOmbatants had now approached within
twenty feet Of each other, separated, only BY the
spring. The lion had crouched down, and the go
riIla stood erect, though slightly bent forward
The eyes Of both beasts protruded from their heads
boding the dircst mischief 70 each other. Suddenly
the head Of the lion dropped between his huge
paws, and the next moment he made flying leap
at his adversary. With the Rpidity Of lightning
the gorilla leaned aside, and at the same instant
dealt the lion a terrific blow over the head. This
prompt and energetic rece ton seemed to stagger
The king Of beasts for a moment; but be soon re-
covered, and, giving vent to loud roar, prepared
to renew the attack. When he sprang the second
time, it was with the force of cannon ball cleav-
ing the air. but bis movements were not so quick
but the gorilla anticipated them and, springing
ten feet 10 the dir, came down on the lions back
with the agility Of a monkey. Then rained the
blows from his club thicker than hail, ill the king
Of beasts quailed beneath them and fairly bello ed
with pain. But the gorilla still clung to his name,
and still repeated the terrible blows about the bead
and ears Of his adversary. till you might have sup
posed his skull had been beaten to a jelly. The
lion roared and tore up the ground IN bis blind
vengeance, while the gorilla yelled aud screeched
in triumph, still raining down his remorseless
blows.
We now saw that the victory must be decided,
sooner or later, in favor Of the more intelligent Of
the brutes; nor was Il long before the lion com
menced an inglorious retreat, with bis supple ad-
vvrsaFy cinging to his back, and still scrcechiug
in his ears.
This scene was continued for about thirty rods,
when the gorilla leaped oif like circus rider, deal
ing a tremendous blow over the lions head u part
ing and the discounted beast ran OF believing
10 hide his defeat and shame in the neighboring
Jungle II was not twenty rods from US where the
closing scene was enacted and as the gorilla turned
his hideUus yisage full upon rs, we could see TIL
umph written as plainly therein as though The iea-
lures had been those Of a human instead Of brute
As the monster stood in this attitude, the Prince
seized nv carbine, and, taking deliberate aim, fred
The gorilla leaped fifteen feet in the air, and lel
to the ground wriihing in his death Sgony. He
tore up the ground around him, and groaned, and
took on tin Il almost seemed tome to be human
in its attributes; and began to question whether
we had not almost committed murder IN destroy
ing the beast
we descended from the tree after the gorilla had
ceased 10 struggle, and found that the slug had
penetrated the lower extremity Of the heart. The
height Of the creature exceeded the talest Of our
party by several inches, and grted nearly i've Rect
under the armpits. 1t was covered with dingy
brown hair, which looked as IL it had been seorched
in places by FIRE. Its muscular development was
truly astonishing, indicating degree q physical
strength and endurance that would have set at
uaught the united power Of q score Of ordinary
men. Its facial development was truly hghttul
though bearing. after al, some slight resemblance
to the human features.
In its death agony the face had become distorted
into the most Rend-like hideousness; the feshy
portion Of the jaws being drawn down, 50 that the
iQhtful shes were revealed at full length, being
not less than four inches long and three-fourths Of
an inch 10 diameter near the jaw. II was the hrst
gorilla had seen, so that naturally its appearance
was very strongly impressed upon my memory.
A poor blind girl brought 10 q clergyman
,h;rtv shillings for the missionary catlse "a You