Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-08-15
THE LION.

Thepublic must feel some difficulty in
forming a true estimate of the prowess of
the African lion from the number of con-
flicting Statements made by different trav-
elers and hunters. The truth appears to
be that while. each one has formed an
opinion from the behavior of the particu-
lar animals they chanced to meet with,
the fact that every single lion differs from
another in temper and disposition has
been allowed to drop out of sight. That
some lions will make point of attacking
any human being they see without the
slightest provocation admits of no doubt,
while it is at least equally certain that
there are others that can hardly be forced
to retaliate, and which, even when wound
ed, will always rather run than fight
Generally speaking, and subject to the
above exceptions, l have found that the
lion of Southeastern Africa rarely goes out
of its way to attack people; will, In point
of fact, shun a conflict when avoidable
There is nearly always some explanation
of its behavior when it acts otherwise;
either the hunter has approached so near
before seen that the animal is afraid to
turn tail, and urged by its very fears,
makes a charge; or it may be half fam
ished, and, having got hold of some prey,
either of your killing or its own, will not
quit it without contest, or, if a lioness
with cubs, will fight in defense Of their
supposed danger.
In all the above cases, utter immobility
and GOODNESS will often avert an attack
If the animal, judging by your behavior,
imagines that you do not want to hurt it,
it will, after trying you for several min
utes, and even making one or two sham
charges, often walk away and allow you
to do the same; but merely raising the
orn1 much lncc nOiptinU 10 o,1p Of 10
sure to make it come on. One or two in
stances of this occur to me. A large
native hunting party had gone out, and
were scattered over the thorns. One of
my gun bearers, who had gone with it,
suddenly found himself face to face with
a full grown male lion, without yard be-
tween them He had presence of mind
enough to stand perfectly still, without
even attempting to take one of the
spears he carried in his left hand into the
other After a couple of minutes the
brute turned away, turning around every
econd to watch them. Before going far
it met another man, who raised his spear,
ASST to throw it. 1t instantly sprang on
aim, and inflicted such wounds that he
died within half an hour. | have no
doubt that if this man also had stood still
he would have been perfectly safe. Again,
hunter of mine was following buffalo
tracks into some thickets suddenly male
lion rose out of one of them and snarled
at him; he had hardly seen it when an
other, about three-quarters grown, showed
itself little on one side, and from be-
hind he heard the low growing of II
third. Partly turning, SO as tu watch
them all, he saw the latter was lioness ;
and that three cubs, not much larger than
cats, were following their mother, one Of
them running toward him without show
ing the least fear. He had, unawares, got
into the center of a lion family. The
loness, in fear of her offspring, rushed
up, and, as he afterward described it, fair
ly danced round and round him, spring
ing to within yard of him, sideways,
backwards, and every way but on him.
In this case, also, he stood still without
any movement, for, as said, Il was a
hundred to one he did not kill the mother;
and, suppose he had the other two would
have soon avenged her. 1t ended by their
ultimately retiring into the thicket, and
watching him as he cleared out. Had he
been nervous, or done anything but re-
main quiet there is no doubt he would
not have come out alive.
On the other hand, lion will seldom
stand much bullying. He may, and often
will, get out of your way; nay, even leave
his prey if you approach it, and should
you follow him, will perhaps do so a
second time but that is about the extent
of it. He seems to argue: 1--WE retired
twice, and here you are at me again; well
if you must have it, come on nearer, il
you dare % and then, If a male, he growls
deeply and makes his manc bristlc VI
round him; or, if lioness, crOuche'
down like a cat, lays her ears back, an(
shows her teeth. In any case you are il
for it, the brute is fairly reused, and retir
or advance as you like, charge is newt
able.
lived for many years among thes
animals, and their very name recalls in
Vulnerable recollections and anecdotes.
Perhaps the most beautiful sight eve
saw in connection with them, worth al
the Zoos in the world was on morning
] had gone out to hunt with one bearer a
dawn. l had not gone far from camp
and my gun was still unloaded, when
was examining some buffalo spoOr, Will
on looking up saw my gun-bearer, VIII
had my cartridges, running away at ful
speed. Knowing he must have see
something to frighten him So l did no
shout, but went to where he had bee
standing, few yards ahead, and there
sure enough, not twenty yards off, were
pair of lions; the lioness rolling on it
back and striking at the males head wit
its fore paws like a kitten, while he stoo
majestically above her. | stopped Il mC
ment to watch them, and it was we
worth it, and then rushed off after m
Kafire to load. The position was gooC
and might have killed one to n certainty
but when had succeeded in getting hiI
down from the top of big tree and weI
back, they had gone. l suppose the
must have got our wind. No doubt the
had been hunting all night and had bee
down to the river to drink preparatory
going to bed.
do not think the lion deserves h
title as king of beasts, though perhaps Il
is the most noble looking. Elephants al
decidedly more sagacious, and the blac
rhinoceros (upetyan9 is certainly MOI
dangerous, and either of the two coul
Kill him in few moments, with but lit
danger to themselves. Indeed, he cannC
manage an old buffalo bull, unless /
takes 1t by surprise.
Until lately they were TO be found
Natal, and in troops in the Zulu countr
but have retired back with the game, an
except on the Zulu coast there are no
only n few stray ones until you reach Il
Ubombo Mountains There, along d
banks of the rivers Pongolo, Nkwavum
Usutu, and more especially the MbHlu
and Mbulzane, they abound, troops of t
or twelve being by no means rare. Lii
all the feline tribe they hunt more
night than by day, but in the uninhabit
districts they prowl about by dayligl
especially when hungry When Tho
hunting has been successful they sleep t
whole day in some thicket hard by thu
prey, returning to il after their event.
drink, as, like all carniyora, they mi
drink freQuentlV and their Dresence is
sure sign of water being near.
Their iavorite food Is buffalo and zeb
preferably the latter, though they gen
ally go after the former, as they are me
easily stalked from frequenting the thit
er parts of the jungle.
Sometimes when attracted by me
they will come and roar all night will
o few yards Of the camp, and cases HI