The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-11-10
Daring Encounter with a Lion.

Daring Encounter with a Lion.
Lately party of sailors and marines
belonging to H. NJ s. Nero, just arriv
ed at the Cape, had obtained eights days
leave of absence to go on shore at Cape
Town. Two or three of the most ven-
turesome determined to have long
ramble into the interior; and notwith-'
standing that they had been warned
against the treachery of the natives, and
that many wild animals were prowling
about in the vicinity, they presisted in
their determination, and went on their
Journey. They had rations enough to
last them three or four days and they
were well supplied with rifles and ammu-
nition. Fer the. first two days moth
ing occurred worth of mention, save the
wilderness Of nxuriant vegetation that
surrounded them, while gemsboke, Glands
giraffes and zebras were occasionally
met with, to the intense delight of the
adventurers, whose rifles were kept in n
most constant practice.
On the evening of the second day they
encamped at small Hottentot village,
and demanded by signs a shelter for the
night. The dark skinned, dwarfsh In
habitants clustered around them with
looks of alarm and CONSERVATION, and
they kept necessarily pointing to an inn
penetrable ticket that bordered the Will
age, shouting every now and then "On-
geama, Ongeama !" while one Of their
number-a woman-was tearing her
hair and beating her breasts in an agony
of violent grief. BY degrees the Eng.
lishmen were made aware of its cause;
for an elderly native, who appeared TO
be short of chief, significantly pointed
to the lions hide that covered his shoul
ders; and then at the woman, till at last
the truth flashed on them that lion was
in their immediate vicinity, who had rnn.
Of with woman's child and perhaps
devoured it. One of Che Englishmen,-
or rather Irishman; for it appears ne is
a native of the country,-made violent
gesture with his rifle, and was about to
run off in the direction of the thicket,
but was dissuaded from doing so by his
companions, who judged-and judged
rightly-that it would be foolhardy to go
on any such expedition during the night.
: Therefore the hunt was deferred until
next day.
They entered hut which the chief
placed at their disposal, and after partak-
ing of a mess Of parched rice and rancid
butter, they lay down for the night.
Early in the morning the Englishmen
were started from their slumbers by the
wild cry of sOngeama, Ongeama r'-"
lion, a lion y '')-and, jumping to their.
feet, they rushed out of the hut and
found the whole village in commotion;
for the ferocious man-eater had, just
at that instant, made off with an
, other child Before he could be pre-
vented, the young Irishman, who was
the most daring Of his companions, seiz-
. ed his rife and made for the thicket,
which was only at about fifty yards dis
, tance He followed the broad footprints
: of the lion until they ended at small
| opening in the bush, and he had scarcely
| reached it when he heard the agonizing
! screams of child Reckless OF conse-
Y quences, he darted through the opening
!. and Immediately perceived huge full
l grown lion holding child in his teeth.
} The brute dropped his prey on beholding
e his assailant, gave successionof short,
:, snapplsh growls, and, burrying his head
f between his paws and lashing the earth
with his tail, he prepared for the fatal
D spring. But with quickness of thought
n the brave Irishman leveled his rife took
: aim, and fired. The bullet penetrated
e the left shoulder, smashing the spine
It and before he could again reload, the
Y infuriated animal, in the death agony
! bounded upon him. With undaunted
!, presence of mind the young man drop;
n ped the rife and Suddenly swerved aside
y as his antagonist missed the object OF
: his aim, and with a terrific roar that was
d sppaliing to hear, fell dead in the bush,
(, Lifting up the child in his arms, which
e was terribly hcepated about the head and
n breast, he made his way back to the vii.
, lage, and was met by his companions
/ and the whole inhabitants with shouts oi
# triumph. The child's wounds we're ex-
J, amined. but, though dangerous, there
: was every reason to hope that, with skill
e full treatment, it would recover; and
y joyful was the mother when her offspring
d was placed in her arms. The lion wa
o skinned, and the brave Irishman who
had killed him brought'th the hide as pre-
y sent to his captain on joining his ship.
f Good Roads,
xry : A 4 - =