The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-06-05
Lion shooting.


The lioness left her lord, stepped for
ward about two yards, her eyes glaring
upon me. with noisy demonstrations OF
rage ond hate-very different to the male
beast, which springs silently, seeming to
husband all his breath for the coming
struggle She stopped, crouched low
upon the ground. and planting her feet
firmly to get firm footing, from whence
the spring upon me was to have been
made. l watched for my opportunity
Her footing gained, she began to wriggle
herself just as a cat does before
she springs upon the hopeless
mouse. I knew she was coming, and
felt mouse like as stood before her. not
more than eight yards between her fore
paws and my feet A sudden fash Of
fury cleaned from her large eyes. her
head was slightly rsised. That was my
time-now or never. In an instant l
sighted and pulled; there was no spring.
No movement told what had been done.
Charlie looked anxiously. quiveiiDg
with his intense anxiety. thought had
missed, and that she was still about to
make fatal bound upon me. | heard
him say mournfuily. MY God he has
missed. No wonder to stand as he
does would shake the nerves of any one
God help him. and still my trembling
hands, that | may fire we'll ~
Don't waste powder, Charlie; she will
never want another shot.
Great God is that possible?" cried
poor Hastings. and he fell down as if shot
himself.
In the revulsion of feeling he had
tainted. l could not turn toward him,
for the lion was advancing. With my
eyes fixed upon the Infatuated beast, |
called to the servant. ''Throw water
upon your masters face," and stood
like tree awaiting my next turn. As /
was biding my time. grimly as grim
death himself, | noticed that the lioness
remained motionless, rigid, like a stone
sculpture she had not varied her posi-
ton one hairs breadth. | could just
see one slight thrill-a SILVER; nothing
more
The fearful looking eyes were fixed
upon US, seeming to be starting from
their sockets [ knew she could not be
| dead-only spachless," as my Irish
servant would have said if he had been
there; but | could not watch her-an-
other claimed my attention. All this
takes long to tell, but it Was briefly en-
acted. Ga came the loYer burning for
revenge, bent upon having it to safety.
We were one to one now; L cared not
for him nor for all he could do; it must
be poor, useless creature of man who
is not equal to a lion single-handed. To
think with him was to act, and his
thought seemed to be parelled with my
Own, only reversed. He clearly thought
it must be a poor lion who conld not
settle man; that did not trouble him,
but he could not understand his lady s
quietude, it was new to him. He looked
at me that look plainly said, - You
have done this-had you million lives,
all would not be worth her dear ore, but
[ would have them all. - So read it.
| The roar he gave was terrific it helped
to bring poor Charles wandering senses
back again, and with all his apprehen-
sions on my account. Poor fellow, he
trembled from head to foot violently,
more for me than for himself. l could
not turn my head, but heard him shak-
ing. To re assure him | used silly
boast. II shall double that fellow up
and put him in my pocket in two minu-
ties; take out your watch and mark the
time" Hearing me speak in that care
less manner seemed to give him hope,
but the lion moved. He made. one
bounding step toward me, then he was
checked by d low groan from the strick-
en- one, and stood as if transfxed to the
earth, uttering cries which seemed those
Of tender encouragement. Lions are al
ways good husbands, as lovers, they are
devoted, az fathers, careful and tender.
The smitten lady was silent, and he
came on again, again to be checked by
another moan--more deep in anguish
than in sound. All eager for vengeance
as he was, he conld not suffer a moan
to pass from her unheeded. Once more
he turned his head to look his last upon
the object of his love, though he knew
not that it wns to be his last. The last
fond look the lion gave cost him his
life, saved mine. and probably that of
Charlie; the servant would have fled.
Temple Bar.