The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-05-21
Adventure with Lions.

Ra'dwin's recsn. work on m South Anic.
has the following:
We were walked up suddenly BY hearing
one of the oxen believing, and tie dogs
barking. 1t was moderately dark and I
seized Clifton's double rife ond rushed out;
not knowing where, when saw the driver
perched on the top Of a temporary but made
OF grass, about six feet high. roaring Justify
Tor doppe (capj. scrambled up just a.
the poor OK ceased his cries, and heard the
lions growing and roaring on top OF him.
not more than fourteen yards from where
we were, but twas too dark to see them
| fired, however in the direction Of the sound
and just above the body of the OK, which I
could distinguish tolerably well, as it WAS q
black one. Diza, the driver. followed my
example. and AZ the lions did not take the
least notice, fired my second barrel, and
was just proceeding to load my own gun,
when was aware, for single instant only
that the lion was coming and the same in.
stont was Knocked halfa dozen somer.
saults backward off the hut, the brute strik.
ingme in the chest with his head. I gath.
cred myself up in an instant, and made .
dash at fence just behind me, ard scram.
bled through it. gun in hand. but the mux:
zlc was choked with dirt. then n ade for
the wagon AMI got on the box, where T
found Kaffirs WHO could not get inside stick.
ing like monkeys, and Diza perched on top.
How he got there seemed to be miricle;
as he was alongside me when the brute
charged. A minute or two Afterwards one
OF them marched eta goat. one Of five that
were tethered by the foot to the hut which
we bad so speedily evacuated. s
Diza, thinking he had chance. fired from
the top of the wagon, and the rscoil knock.
ed him backward on to the tent, which
broke his fall. 1t was most ludicrous
sight altogether. aHi 3
After that we were utterly defeated. the
brutes were allowed to eat their meal unmo.'
Tested, which they continued to do for some
time. growing fiercly all the whil.. The
kafiirs said there was five in all fred
once again bpt without effect, and we All 50
sa'yering with cold, without any clothes or,
till near day break. when our enemies heat
a retreat, and Twas not sorry TO turn in
again between the blankets I was just be.
ginning to get warm again, when was q.
rouesd by double shot, and rushed out on
hearing that the driver and after rider had
shot the hon. We went TO the spot and
found fine lioness dead, with bullet
through the ribs from the after-rider: q
good shot as she was at least one hundred
and fifty yards off Another had entered
the neck just behind the head, and Travelled
all along the spine, nearly to the root of the
tail. claimed that shot and forthwith pro.
ceeded to skin her. cut out the bsll, il
proved to be my shot out of Clifton's rife !:
this accounted for her ferocious onslaught.
The after-rider was rather chop-falltn at
having to give her DIP to the ,ightful OWE.
er
Diza got claw in his thigh, and the gun
which ne had in his hand was frigh,fully
scratched on the stock rather sharp prac.
tlce. A strong nerved old Kaffir woman
lay in the kut all the time, without a door OF
whatever between her and the Ii.
ons, and kept as still as . mouse all tho
while. q. ~
had the remains Of the OK dragged to
the best spot for getting a shot, if the lions
should pay us another visit. They did no,
keep us waiting long. In less than On hour
after dark they came, and Immediately DO
gan their meal. The night was very dark
and we had nothing but their own growls
to guide us in shooting. We three blazed
away in succession for a long time. The
OK was placed just in front of the wagon,
about twenty-five yards cff. but they drag.
gcd it away considerably further. Crafty
must have had some very narrow escapes,
for she would not come in but kept W an
incesssnt row all the time and encouraged
by the fireing, came 70 very close quarters
with them several times. They charged
her frequently and savagely, but
they showed great pluck. I saw ohe
ion tolerably DISTINCT once, and fred, when,
or the frst time. hs uttered fierce roar
md charged at the wagon We had. how.
'ver strong fence between the wagon and
hem, and when the lion lay down aoout
seven yards off for a long time. I felt sure
he was wounded. He made off soon after.
Yards, and turned in before they all took
heir departure.
October lst. Went up to see our last
rights work. twas evident than one or
more were severely wounded, but we endcav.
red in vain 10 trace them. l turned out
rith our two dogs and one Kafir, but
vas obliged to offer him reward of Eve
killings before he would consent to, accom-.
amy me. We gave the dogs the wind, and
united down the nearest kloof. had rot
'ot fourhundred yards from the wagon when
saw that Hopeful winded something, but
ether growled nor baiked, in spite Of I'll
hr encouragement gave him. He was
cry rear the klcof, and came away. At
ength mustered courage to 60 down, and.
proceeding short distance. saw an old lion
cad at the bottom. A large bullet had
'one right through his middle, and WAS in
igh spirits at my success.
We should judge . man, not -
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