The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-04-08
MISCELLANY.
From Baldwin's Hunting in South Africa"
Adventures with Lions.

Adventures with Lions.
We were walked up suddenly by hearing
one Of the oxen believing and the dogs bark
ing II was moderately dark, and l seized
Clifton's double rifle, and rushed out, not
knowing where, when saw the driver perched
on the top ola temporary hut, made of grass,
about six feet high, roaring Justify for dope
(cap.) l scrambled up just as the poor OK
ceased his cries, and heard the lions growing
and roaring on the top OF him, not more than
fourteen yards from where we We're, but it
was too dark to see them. l fred, however,
In the direction of the sound, and just above
the body of the OK, which l could distinguish
tolerably well, as it was black one. Diza 1.-THE
drver) followed my example. and as the lions
did not take the least notice, fired my second
barrel, and was just proceeding to load my
own gun, which Jack had brought me, when
was aware for a single instant only that the
lion was coming, and at the same moment
was knocked half dozen somersaults back
ward off the hut, the brute striking me in the
chest with his head l gathered myself up in
a second and made dash at a fence Just be-
hind me. and scrambled through it, gun in
hand, but the muzzle was choked with dirt.
/ then made for the wagon, and got on the
box, where found all the kaflirs who could
not get inside sticking like monkeys. and Dza
perched on the top How he got there SEEM
ed 70 me miracle, as he was alongside me
when the brute charged. A minute or two
after, one OF them marched off goat, one of
five that were tethered by the foot to the hut
which we had SO speedily evacuated
Dza, thinking he had a chance, fired from
the top of the wagon, and the recoil knocked
him backward on TO the tent, which broke his
fall. Il was most ludicrous sight altogether.
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 fiercely all the while. The
Kaffirs said there were five in ALL fired once
again, but without effect, and we all sat shv-
ering with cold, without any clothes on, till
daybreak. when our enemies beat retreat,
and / was not sorry to turn in again between
the blankets. was just beginning to get
warm again when ! was aroused by a double
shot, and rushed out on hearing that the dri-.
yer and after-rider had shot the lion. We
went to the spot and found fine lioness dead,
with bullet through the ribs from the alter
rider; good shot as she was at least $50
yards off. Another had entered the neck,
just behind the head, and travelled all along
the spine, nearly 10 the root of the tail. i
claimed that shot, and forthwith proceeded to
skin her. cut out the ball il proved TO be
my shot out of Clfton's rifle; this accounted
for her ferocious onslaught. The aiter-rider
was rather chopfalen at having TO give her
up to the rghtful owner.
Diza got a claw in his thigh, and the gun
which he had in his hand was frightfully
scratched on the stock; rather sharp practice.
A strong nerved old Kaflir woman lay in the
hut the whole time, without door or any
thing between her and the lions, and kept as
still as mouse all the while.
1 had the remains of the OK dragged to the
best spot for getting shot, ii the lions should
pay us another visit. They did not keep us
waiting long. In less than an hour after dark
they came, aud Immediately began their meal
The night was very dark, and we had moth
ing but their own growls TO guide us in our
shooting. We three blazed away in succession
for q long time. The OK was placed just in
front of the wagon, about twenty-five yards
of, but they dragged il away considerably
farther. Crafty must have had some narrow
escapes, for she would not come in, but kept
up an incessant row all the time; and, encour-
aged by the firing, came to very close quar-
tiers with them several times. They charged
her frequently and savagely, but she showed
great pluck. l saw one lion toleraby dis
tinctiy once, and fired, when for the first time
be uttered a fierce roar, and charged at the
wagon. We had, however, strong fence be-
tween the Wagon and them, aad when the
lion lay down about seven yards off for a long
time, felt sure he was wounded. He made
off soon afterwards, and | turned in before
they all took their departure
Oct. !. Went up to see our last nights work.
1t was evident that one or more had been Sc
verely wounded. but we endeayored in vain to
trace them. / turned out with my two dogs
and one Kafiir, Jacob. was obliged to offer
him a reward of IS. before he would consent
to accompany me. We gave the dogs the
wind, and hunted down the nearest kloof
had not got 400 yards from the wagon when
/ saw that Hopeful winded something bat
neither growled nor barked in spite of all the
encouragement gave him. He was very
near the kloof, and came away. At length l
mustered courage to go down, and, proceed
ing short distance, saw an old lion dead at
the bottom. A large bullet had gone right
through his middle, and was in high spirits
at my success.