The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-03-19

tense interest. AZ IellSLI IilO LII iAeto' g SIS
of interrogation, which recalled me to a sense
of our position. We were too far from our dan
gerous game to risk a shot at him, which,
It only wounded without killing, would BRING
himself but possibly his wife and young hope
full upon us before we could draw another ting
ger. If we startled him only, without hit
ting him, he might plunge INTO the jungle
and escape. We could not lie there all DAY
looking at him, without doing anything, ant
we dare not attempt to hold council with ont
another, as the lowest whisper would reacI
either the sleeping or the waking members O
the family. s d
A few moments irresolution terminated IL
my laying my rifle and taking a long anc
steady aim at the side Of p~atertamlllas' II
was difficult to cover my object, for a flicker
ing exhalation was rising from the entire sur
face of the earth, through which the gorilla
seemed to be in perpetual motion, In and ou'
of the sight of my rifle, up and down, flashing
and waving, rising and falling, until lost all
confidence i'll my power OF taking ann SO neal
the ground, and being a crack shot under or
binary circumstances, l had just resolved to
risk everything by standing up and taking
an open shot at him from the shoulder, when
a turn was given to my thoughts (and must
confess / got rather aturn myself by the sud
den appearance of a new sportsman Ill the form
of a black python, some thirty feet IN lengtn'
which was coiIed round a small tree close to
me, but which my wrapt attention to my game
had prevented me from observing previously.
The python had unwound a few coils, and hay
ing thus freed about ten or twelve feet OF his
body to enable him to examine me and my
proceedings more closely, he was hanging
~ - Il -xx f,aa hIC lon hlanLy fork
ed tongue darling from his mouth, waving
and retiring again with the rapldlty OF hight
ming, and his glittering eye glanclng from Inc
to the rifle as though he wondered what sort
of an animal it was, and whether 1t might
nrove To be a more dainty morsel than | might
myself be. had a Persian scimitar, as keen
as a razor. in nv hunting belt. The snake
in his wavings to and fro brought his neck at
times within a foot of nv shoulder. [ slid my
rioht had down to feel for the handle OF my
sword. keeping my eyes fixed upon the python.
grasped and was drawing the weapon, Won
derinG whether the snake or | would strike
first. when both of us were startled by a ter
rifle shrek. or rather a series of shrieks, as II
a strong rough woman was rendlng the ar IN
mingled rage and pain. -,
The nvthon vanished as my sword flew out.
The shrieks were uttered by the female go
riUa Who had gone some distance into the
woods while | was engaged, first trying to ann
at the male, and afterwards with watching the
terrible reptile. She had either disturbed a lion
who was sleeping away the effects OF a hearty
sumner. or had met him on his way to the cool
denths of the forest, and had nearly afforded
him a morning repast. She sprang into the
nearest tree, uttering at the same time those
startling human cries which had frightened
away the python and nearly unnerved me. AS
To nv guide. he had not seen my danger, and
he was still watching the male gorllla,patlent-
w awaiting my decision and expecting every
instant the report of my rifle. The shrleks had
startled him a little-not SO much, howeVer,as
thev had affected me for he had heard the
like before. and he knew they would be utter
ed the moment that either a shot should be
fired or the male should discover us by any
chance. But when a roar, that shook the
ground on which we lay, announced the ma
tIre of the danger from which the female go
rilIa had so narrowly escaped, my Fan trlend'
black as he was, actually become palho WIFI
fear!
The roar of the lion was instantly answer
ed by a deeper, hoarser, louder, and more saw
age roar. A sound so expressive OF anger, de,
6ance and relentless, savage, cruel teroclty, !
AlII4SO cANN
never heard!
looked at the Fan, and smiled. He I'M
derstood me instantly. His limbs ceased to
tremble. lie closed his mouth with an effort,
then grinned, placed his fingers on his hps,a
turned to watch the combat which was now
inevitable, and in the occurrence OF which lay
our best hopes of safety.
Scarcely thirty yards on our left, the lion
had come crashing through the jungle, and
had cleared the close inner tangle with a boud'
Henow stood:full n sight in the clearo open space
his head erect, his name standing up and out,
all straight. like the hair of an angry cat, mag
nifving his apparent bulk to colossal proper
tions his tail, which at first stood nearly
straight. was waving from side to side. A
length it struck his ribs alternately on either
side with sounding blows, and he uttered a
LONGER and more terrific roar than that which
he had given when the female gorilla escaped
from him. Opposite to him was the male 60
rilla, now looking most unlike the uncouth,
sleenv figure which we had seen propped
against the tree.
At the first shrek from his mate the goril-
la had sprung into life and sudden energy
Placing the knuckles of his upper hands upon
the ground. he bounded lightly into the air to
a surprising height rising from all four hands
together. and coming down upon all tours
AGAIN. When the lion roared, the gorilla seem
ed at once to comprehend the nature both OF
the challenge and adversary, and to resolve
mon fighting, although i'll would have been
easy for him to escape by springing into a tree;
He rose unon his hinder hands Cor teetl and
standing erect, looking very like a large-bod-
led, long-armed, short-legged, powerful negro,
about six feet two inches in height, he utter
ed his tremendous acceptance OF the mons
CHALLENGE. beating his breast at the same time
with his huge fists alternately, and producing
sounds like heavy blows upon a bass drum;
When the lion sprang into the Enclosure ana
stood b~ristling before him, the gorllla crop
ped D a~ll-fours again, with ms KhuGKIes
on the ground; his eyes, winch named IKE
fire seen through rubies, fixed upon his dread
full enemy, and his eyebrows working up anu
down with inconceivable rapidity, giving TO
his countenance a look Of such demonlac Ie-
rocitv. that it seemed to make the hon pause
at least, if he did not quail.
Lashing his sides with his tail until ne rouS-
ed himself to fury, the lion delivered ms sec
ond roar. as though his honor We're concerneu
in outroaring no less than IN vanqulshing oy
his proves all antagonists; and, on MS Part;
the gorilla, albeit questions OF honor seelneu
little likely to be favored or considered oy hlll,
accented nevertheless the preliminary contest
of angry noise, and uttered another roar 50 ut
terIy delnoniac and horrible, standing up again
in order to deIiverit freely, that the lion crouch
ed at once to spring upon him and bring the
question of superior prowess to the proof. A
few short, swift steps-a bound of twenty feet
two or three sharp, snarling growls-and
I expected to sec the o combatants locked
in fatal embrace! But it was not SO.
As the lion rose in his long bound, the go
riIa sprang also, but Tightly and higher straight
up into the air. The lion struck upwards to
catch him the action turned himself over, and
he fell heavily on his side, the gorilla dropping
on him, striking him twice, and then spring
ing off with a sliding, jumping run, to a DIS,
lance of several yards. instantaneous as nae
| heen the encounter. both were severely wound