Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1873-06-28

10 gam the ships side, 10 call Tor and
obtain loaded muskets, was, with the
captain, the work Of few minutes.
Then he directed the boat ashore. A
report was heard as one Of the weapons
was discharged, and with terrible roar,
the animal turned, slightly wounded,
looking toward the seamen.
Only for moment. however: the
next away he went in pursuit of Mrs
Benton, who, with the speed of despera.
ton, her child claSped tightly in her
arms, was fleeing up the height.
On she ran, the lion, though wounded.
gaining fast. Now and then she would
turn to behold the hideous beast within
few yards Of her, the eyes now resem-
bling great white circles, with lainbent
points Of flame in the center, while the
closed teeth and wrinkled nostrils be-
tokened that it scented the blood from
the scratches the little one had received,
and which had reused 10 the utmost the
hungry desires Of the savage beast.
Gasping, painting, wild with terror
and anxiety. the fugitive hurried along,
scarcely hearing, far below, the shouts
Of the pursuing seamen. They could
not help her-they were not near
enough. The victims would be torn to
pieces and devoured 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
at the head Of the seamen, the young
missionary almost screamed in agony, ex-
! pecting every moment to see his wife
and child fall a prey to the monster
| The lion now being in q line with the
fugitive, the muskets were useless in the
hands of the sailors, who could not fire
at the animal for fear Of hitting Mrs.
Benton.
The strength of the latter, in spite of
all her efforts, was evidently giving way.
Her limbs trembled under her-she
swayed from side to side-her gasping
sobs could be heard even by the sailors.
I The savage pursuer now gained with
fearful rapidity.
"Great Heaven." screamed Mr.. Ben
ton, striking his forehead with his hand,
''can nothing be done?''
Already the lion was within three
VaruS OF Ine Iu2lJlNe.
'Fire." shouted the missionary. 81
give you leave. There is no other alter
native"
'True!" answered the captain, a.
pale as death, sit must be the lion or the
bullet"
He gave his orders; the men tool
aim and fired. But neither the beas
nor the lady was harmed. In their fea1
lest they should hit the latter, tn,
marksmen had aimed too high.
On went the pursuer and the pursued
the lion not more than two yards behin'
| his intended victims.
Mrs. Benton saw ahead a clump o
: slender trees, evidently growing from
cleft in the rock. A wild hope animat
ed her, and gave renewed strength t
her faltering limbs. By getting benin
the trees, and lodging, might she no
t contrive to elude the animal until tn
e party from below should arrive?
II The cluster of trees was now the coy
4 eted goal, and she strained every nerv
: to reach it. But when she was With
!, ten feet of it, she met with a fearft
s disappointment deep, yawning chasl
right in her path,between her an
: the trees, and which had hitherto bee
J hidden from her sight by high bush'
Is fringing the edge.
% The chasm was too wide too lea
If over. She turned, and stood at bay
1t her back to the abyss, her face towar
Ie the lion. There seemed no hope nov
l. Death was before and behind her, hen
MING her in on both sides.
d The lion paused as she turned t
d wards him. He uttered a growl of Il
d umph and crouched for the fatal sprin
% The lady strained her child closer
q her breast. To descend the dark dept
er of the chasm was preferable to beil
torn by that savage monster. There W
t. no time to loose. In another nome
ke the tawny body must come swoOpil
down upon her.
ra But now quick, wild thought
d. mothers inspiration-fashed throus
III her mind.
Under the armpits she clasped her chi
,e with each hand, and raised it high abo
;" her head, so that the bleeding scratch
on its white flesh were fully exposed
is the on's view.
IN The sight reused to the full the uncC
trolable desires of the savage beast.
ne With a smothered roar, he shot up fr'
the rock, his huge form cleaving
a. air with one tremendous bound for
e. child.
ed That was what Mrs. Benton had wa
We ed for. BY elevating her child, she h
compelled the lion to make lofty lea
to and now with her little, one she quick
Ter sank fiat on the rock, thus Guiding t
monster, which uttering one long, wi
ng terrible roar, was carried head foremo
ed out of sight for evermOre, into t
er frightful depths of the chasm.
nd Nearly senseless from The fatigue a
lis excitement she had under gone, NJ
I'm Benton was soon after convened to
IN, ship by her rejoicing friends, who nc
/ a day left far behind them the place
w. that exciting scene of a mothers pC
he and timely stratagem.
ro- A Visit 90 Monticello.
Paff A correspondent of the Chicago Ii
oi une writes.
'n- 1t has now been two years since l '
g., tied Monticello, and, having some
4 n.aauaE IN