The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-08-21

LIONS AND THEIR HABITS.


The public must feel some difficulty
in forming true estimate Of the Prov
ess Of the African lion from the number
of conflicting statements made by diff
ferent travellers and hunters. The truth
appears to be that, while each one has
formed an opinion from the behavior of
the particular animals they chan ced to
meet with, the fact that every single lion
differs from another in temper and dis
position 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, ad-
mits 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 wounded, will always
rather run than fight.
. Generally speaking, and subject to
the above exceptions, I have found that
the lion of southeastern Africa rarely
goes out of its way to attack people
viii, 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 furnished, and, having got
hold of some prey, either of your kill--
ing or its own will not quit it without a
contest, or if lioness with cubs, will
fight in defense Of their supposed
Llt DANGER W a.l GA
In all the above cases, utter immobil-
ity and GOODNESS will often avert an at
tack. If the animal, Judging by your
behavior, imagines that you do not want
to hurt it, it will, after trying you for
several minutes, and even making one or
{. twoshan charges, often walk away and
allow You to do the same but merely
raising the arm, much less pointing the
gun at it. is sure to make it come on
One or two instances 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 him
self face to face with full-grown male
lion, without yard between 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
couple ST minutes the brute walked
1'T. -y ond to watch him. Before going far it
... met another man, who raised his spear,
900 rs if to throw it. 1t Instantly sprang on
him, 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, a hunter of mine was following
huffalo-traeks into some thickets sud
=. Il r
.. them and snarled at him he had hardly
seen it when another about three-quar=
ters grown, showed itself little on one
side, and from behind he heard the low
- growing of third. Partly turning, so
as to watch them all, he saw the latter
.rr was honess and that three cubs not
much larger than cats, were following
their mother one of them running to-
ward him without showing the least fear.
He had, unRwares, got into the centre of
lion family. The lioness, in fear for
her offspring, rushed mp, and, as he af-
terward described it, fairly danced.
round and round him, springing to with
in yard of him, sideways. backward,
and every way but onhim. In this case,
also, he stood still without any move
ment, for, as he said, it was a hundred
ttf to one he did not bil the mother and,
------sHPpOsell lle= had, the other two would
have soon avenged her. 1t ended by
their ultimately retiring into the thicket,
and watching him as he cleared ont.
Had he been nervous, or done any thing
but remain quiet, there is no doubt he
would not have come out alive. .tt ..s
On the other hand, a lion will seldom
stand much bullying. He may, and Of
ton viii, get out Of your way, nay, even
leave his prey if you approach it, and
E1 should you follow him viii perhaps do
so a second time, but that is about the
extent of t. He seems to argue; 'I've
..4 retired twice, aud here you are Mt me
again; we'll, If you must have it, come
ON nearer, if You dare - and then, if a
male, he growls deeply, and makes his
name bristle mp round him or, If Ii
oness, crouches down like a cat, lays her
ears back, and shows her teeth. In any
case you are in foryit the brute is fairly
reused, and retire or advance rs You
ta' like, charge is inevitable.
lived for many years among these
mnimals, and their very name recalls in
Vulnerable reoollections and anecdotes
Perhaps the most beautiful sight ev-
er saw in connection with them, worth
all tie ZOOS in the world yrason n morn
ing I had gone ont to hunt with one bear
er at dawn had not got far from
i y Va camp, and my gun was still unloaded,
while 1 was examining some buffalo
.g spoor. when, on looking up saw my
..'i gun-bearer, who had my cartridges, run
n "a ming away at full speed, knowing he
must have seen something to frighten
him so, did not shout but went to
where he had been standing, a few yards
ahead, and there, sure enough, not
twenty yards OF, were a pair of lions /;
the lioness rolling on its back, and strik-
ing out at the males head with its fore
paws like a kitten, while he stood ma
jestically above her. 1 stopped mo-
ment TO watch them, and it was, well
worth it, and then rushed of after my
kafffe4o load. lTha. .positonSwas good,
and might have killed one to a Ger
tainty, but when had succeeded in get
ting him down from the top of a big tree,
and went back, they had gone 1 sup