The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-11-14

A MOTHERS STRATAGEM.

In June, 1860, the ship Wanderer left
the settlement of Monrovia, on the coast
of Liberia, Africa, having on board, among
her passengers bound home to England
Mr.. Benton, a young missionary and his
wife, Helen, with their child--a little girl
three years old.
For three weeks the vessel encountered
succession of head winds and violent
squalls, which, driving her toward land, al
length compelled the captain to anchor in
small bay on the coast of Morocco. II
was beautiful spot but few hundred
yards from one of the half-detached peaks
of the Atlas mountains.
Gazing inland, the passengers bcheld q
wealth of verdure, with tall trees and climb
ing plants, and flowers of variegated hue
many of the latter ascending to the tops Of
the rocky hills, and hanging down in long
graceful festoons over the valleys between
Iu the afternoon the gale having abated
the captain lowered boat to make sound
ings in the bay.
II would like to take little Clara ashore
said Helen to her husband you know
she has been teasing us all day long for
some of those pretty flowers"
"Very well if the captain will take the
trouble to put us ashore, we will co." said
Benton.
The captain having readily given his
consent, the two passengers were soon land
ed on the beach.
Don't go too far away, sir" said the
skipper, as he showed off again.
But little Clara breaking from her par
ents, now ran up one of the lofty, rocky
elevations, the sides which were covered
with shrubbcry of the most attractive
color.
await for me, George, said Helen to her
husband, sand will bring her back"
The height the child was ascending to,
being very steep, she had proceeded about
hundred yards ere her mother overlook
her. The naked arms and shoulders OF the
little one were by this time scratched in
several places from contact with the briers.
Mrs. Benton therefore dipping her handker-
chief In spring trickling down the rock,
was about applying it to the bleeding parts
when she was suddenly startled by roar,
deep and prolonged like rumblng thun-
der, apparently emerging from the very
heart of the mountain, and shaking it to
its centre.
Terrified, she turned, to behold an awful
spectacle-the huge bristling head and
round, glaring eyes of that most dreadful
ofwild beasts the African lion.
First the head and them the supple, tawny
body appeared from the shrubbery, the
tail whisking furiously to and fro, the fiery
tongue and sharp fangs visible, as a second
roar came booming from the cavernous
throat.
"Just Heaven" was all the poor lady
could gasp, as, with mothers instinct,
| she snatched the child to her breast.
Mr.. Benton now saw her danger. He
was unarmed but he shouted to the men
in the boat, who, turning, also perceived
Helen's peril.
To gain the ships side, to call for and
obtain loaded muskets was. with the cap
tain, the work of a few minutes. Then he
directed the boat ashore. A cracking re-
port was heard as one of the weapons was
discharged, and, with terrible roar, the
lion turned, slightly wounded, looking
toward the seaman.
Only for moment, however; the next
away he went in pursuit of Mrs. Benton
who, with the speed of desperation, her
child clasped tightly in her arms, was flee
ing up the height.
On she ran, the lion, though wounded
gaining fast. Now and then she would
turn to behold that hideous head within q
few yards other, the eyes now resembling
great white circles, with lambert point Of
flame in the centre, while the closed teeth
and wrinkled nostrils betokened that il
scented the blood from the scratches the
little one bad received, and which had
reused to the utmost the hungry desires o.
the savage beast.
Gasping, painting, wild with terror and
anxiety, the fugitive hurried along, scarce
ly hearing, far below the shout of the pur
suing seamen. They could not help her =
they were not near enough The victim;
would be torn to pieces and de7oured long
ere they could attack the lion.
This Mrs. Benton comprehended. She
saw no way of escape--her only help was
in Providence.
Watching the figures as he sped on a
the head of the seamen, the young mission
airy almost screamed in his great agony
expecting every moment to see his wife
and child fall prey to the monster. The
lion now being in line with the fugitive
the muskets were useless in the hands O.
the sailors, who would not fire at the ami
NAL for fear of hitting Mrs. Benton.
The strength of the latter, in spite o
her efforts, was evidently giving way. He