Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-11-21

IA little glrl three years old.
For three weeks the vessel encounter.
ed succession of head winds and VIC
lent squalls, which, driving her TOWARD
land at length compelled the captain t.
anchor in small bay on the coast o.
Morocco 1t was u beautiful spot, but /
few hundred yards from one of the half
detached peaks Of the Atlas mountains.
Gazing inland, the passengers behelc
wealth of verdure, with tall trees ant
climbing plants, and flowers of variega-
ted hue, many Of the latter ascending tc
the tops Of the rocky hills, and hanging
down III long graceful festoons over tht
valleys between.
In the afternoon the gale having aba
ted, the captain lowered boat to make
soundings in the bay.
II would like to take little Glars
ashore, said Helen to her husband =
You know she has been teasing us al
day long for some Of those pretty flowers
Very well if the captain will take
the trouble to put US ashore, we will go,
said Benton
The captain having readily given hit
consent, the two passengers were sooL
landed on the beach.
Don't 90 too far away, sir" said the
skipper. as he showed off again.
But little Clara breaking from her pa
rents, now ran up one Of the lofty, rock J
elevations, the sides Of which were coy
cred with shrubbery Of the most attract
i've color.
wait for me. George said Helen to
her husband, ''and will bring her
back +"
The height the child was ascending to,
being very steep,she had proceeded about
a 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
bricrs. Mrs. Benton therefore dipping
her handkerchief in spring tricklinp
down the rock. was about applying it t.
the bleeding parts, when she assudden.
ly startled by roar, deep and prolong.
ed, like runbling thunder, apparently
emerging from the very heart Of tn,
mountain, and shaking it to its centre.
Terrified, she turned, to behold an
awful spectacle--the huge, bristling heac
and round, glazing eyes of that mos
dreadful Of wild beasts--thc African lion
First the head aud then the supple
tawny body appeared from the shrubbe
ry, the tail whislSing furiously to anC
fro, the fiery tongue and sharp fangs Wis
IDLE, as 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 the danger HI
was unarmed, but he shouted to the mer
in the boat, who, turning, also perceived
IIelon's peril.
To gain the ships side, to call for and
obtain loaded Duskets was, with the cap
tain, the work of few minutes. Tbef
he directed the boat ashore. A crack
ling report was heard as one of the wea
pons was discharged, and, with terrible
roar, the lion turned, slightly wounded
looking toward the seamen.
Only for aMoinent, however; the next
away he went in pursuit Of Mrs. Benton
who, with the speed Of desperation, hel
child clasped tightly in her arms, wa:
fleeing up the height
On she ran, the lion, though wound.
ed, gaining fast Now and then she
would turn to behold that bideous head
within a few yards Of her, the eyes now
resembling great white circles, with lam
bent point Of fame in the centre, while
the closed teeth and wrinkled nostrils
betokened that it scented the blood from
the scratches the little one had received,
and which had reused to the utmost the
hungry desires Of the beast
Gasping, painting, wild with terror and
anxiety, the fugitive hurried along
scarcely hearing, far below the shout Of
the pursuing seainen. They could not
help hsr-they were not near enough. =
The victims would be torn to pieces and
devoured long ere they could attack tho
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