The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1872-06-08
NY FIRST LION HUNT.

MY FIRST LION HUNT.
A WRITER in London magazine thus
graphically describes his first adventure il
hunting lions:
On coming in sight Of the natives, who
had been left to watch the animal, | at
once saw that it would be a case of close
quarters; as the men only made sign. and
would not speak; aHd on our quietly ask
ing where our expected foe was hanging
mt, they pointed to large tree, certainly
not more than forty yards distant from us.
Taking good look at the caps OF my RI
he and fee ing with the rod that both balls
were close down, took up position in
front of the tree just in the line of road
the natives said the beast was in the habit
OF taking when going abroad. and placed
native with my second gun close behind
me the rest OF our party and the native
hunters distributing themselves in circle
round the tree, 30 as to be ready for which
ever side he broke cover. An being now
ready, signal was made to a number of
natives stationed in the adjacent trees, and
they began to shout at the top of their
voices; aad in an instant we heard noise
like the growing of mast fl, increasing
IN sound and intensity. Ny readers must
not fancy that the sound they hear from
The kingly beast in captivity is anything
ike that which he makes while ia his ma
tive walks. Placing his mouth near the
ground the monster gives a prolonged
howl, which reverheratcs around in a vol.
ume Of sound which can be heard for
mhes, striking every living thing with ter
ror.
Such was the sound which now broke
the gffIlu4sz n Tho ftl,a 1 l.
me pressed my arm and told me she was
very angry Immediately after this she
got up and we saw her for the first time
~ she began walking up and down under
the tree, as you see the animals in the
Zoo do in their cages, lashing her sides
with her tail, and sometimes throwing it
over her back. A i at once she saw me.
rather stopped the fore part OF her body
put back her ears, opened her mouth, gave
three or four heavy growls, and showed
the whltest teeth ever saw in my life. At
that moment fired nv right hand barrel
direct at the dent between her ewes. and no
sooner had done SO than, with fright
tul roar of agony and rage, down she came
'ull upon me.
Thank God, am steady and cool. and
.et her have the second barrel full in the
breast but 1t failed to stop her. ( had
JUST Time TO seize my second gun from the
native who, fortunately, stood like a rock.
ANA not being able TO get il to NV shonl.
der. ] fired both barrels from NV hin
straight into her chest but that did not
stop the ininriate1 beast, for with a PLUNGE
size hire" me flat on my back aud Law on
me with one paw on each side Of my chest
10 attempt to describe the horrors of the
'iuat'on ] was 10 would be simply an i'm
possibility Ny friends and the natives
we're thnshHed with fear, utterly unable to
ishHer % the slightest assistance
but one little accidental circumstance
saYei nv lie IN being thrown down had
pro''deuiialiy kept hold Of my second gun.
sIu on the brute stopping to worry me,
"re" ~ up IN accidental SELF defense
Laying bold Of II in her massive teeth she
look % out OF my hands Ikea straw. and
Tor some moments couteutci herself bv
'ehlI"g her rage upon ii, and broke il ali
70 pieces. During all this time nv friends
Hongh but few yards from me feared to
hre upon her lest their shots shouId strike
ne Presently she seized me hy the shout
yer ana shook me ne puppy does a ball
~ COTTON iearinlly mangling and crushing
'he nm and then for q time Law perfectly
Aeoplng her teeth in my shoulder
suddenly she let go, rose slowly to her
tee'' staggered away few Yards and Gll.
aesI Ny iri'nis, on coming to In up
"haat they fully believed 10 be nv dead
BODY, could hardly credit their senses AT
hudms me still alive. aud. with the e1-
frp'ion Of badly mangled shoulder and
arm comparatively unhurt, the more 90
A. wa peiectly dreuchei IN the animals
blood
II had long been the wish Of nv heart
30 have hani 90 hand conflict with the
lord Of The forest and certainly had il
sraufet with a vengeance have shot
Others -iuce, but have revsr had 20 nearn
shave aud frequently, when wrap NV.
'eif up DO her skin, nos doing drty A. a
rug ] think to myself with sbudder.
10" near death was 10 obtaining it,