Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-11-27
A MOTHERS STRATAGEM.

the coast Of Liberia, Africa, having
on hoard. among her passengers
bound home to England, Mr.. Benton, +,
a Young missionary and his wife.
Helen, with their child, little sirl
three years old.
For three weeks the vessel eIcoun-
tered a succ, ssiop of head winds and
violent squalls, which driving her to
wards land, a. length compelled the
captain to anchor 10 a small bay on
the coast of Morocco. 1t was q
beautiful spot, hut few hundred
wards from one of the bslf-detached
reaks Of the Atlas mountains
Gazing in and, the passengers be-
held wealth Of verdure, with tall
trees and climbing plants, aud flow
era of varieested hue, many of the
latter ascending to the tops ofthe
rocky hills. and hanging down in
long. graceful fesloons over the
valleys between.
To the afternoon the gale having
absted the captain lowered boat to
make sounding in the bay.
IL would like 10 take little Clara
shofe," snid Helen 10 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
60" said Benton.
The captain having readily given
lis consent. the two passengers were
soon Ian ded on the beach.
Don't 90 too far away. sir" said
the skipper, as he showed off again.
But 'i,tle Clara breskins from her
parents, uowrs Jpn one of The lofty,
rocky elevations, the sides which
were covered with shrubbcry Of the
most attractive color.
"Wnit fer me, Geerce. said Helen
% her husband, "and will bring her
back
The height the child was ascend
ing to, being very steep, she bad pro-
cceded about 3 hundred yards .r,
her mother overlook her. The naked
arms and shoulders Of the little one
we're by this tine scratched in sever
al places from contact with the briers
Mrs. Benton therefore dipped her
hapdkerchief in a spring trickIing
down the rork, was about applying
1t to the bleeding parts when she WIS
suddenly st-rrled by a roar, deep and
prolc nged, like rumb ing thunder,
apparently emerging from the very
heart Of the mountain, aud shaking
it to its centre.
Terrified. she turned. TO behold an
su... .,cciae'e, the huge brisrl'og
head and round. glaring eyes Of
thst most dreadful of wild beasts,
the African lion.
First the lead and then the supple.
tswny body appeared ION the shrub
berry, the tail whiskiug furiously to
aud fro. the fiery tOngu' and sharp
fsncs visible, as second roar came
booming FROM the cavcrnous throat.
just Heaven" was all the poor
lady could gasp, as, with mother 5
instinct, she sna,cbed the child to
her lreast.
Mr.. Benton now saw her danger
BE Was unsrmed, but be shouted to
tie men iu the boat, who, turning,
also perceived Helen's peril
TO gain the ships side. TO cali FOL
and obt.in loaded wuskers VS., with
the captain, the work ofp few mInu
tes Then be directed The boat
ashore. A cracking report was
heard as ole of the weapons was dis
CHARGED. AID, with a terrible roar, ths
lion turned. slightly wounded, look
ing towards the seaman.
Ouly for moment, however; the
next, away he went in pursuit Of Mrs
Benton, who, With the speed Of des
peration, her child clasped tightly 10
her arms, was feeting up the height
On she rso, the lion, though
wounded gsining fast. Now and
then she would turo tc beh' ID tha
hideous head within a few yards oI
her, tue eyes now resembling gIea
white circles, With lsmbeut point o.
fame in the centre, while the close
teeth and wrinkled bostrIls betokenee
that it scented the blood frou tb'
scratches the little one had received
and which had reused to the utDos
the hungry desires Of the savag'
beast.
Gssping, painting, Wild With terrO'
aud anxiety, the fugitive hurrie'
along, scarcely hearing, tar below th'