River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-04-09
SHOOTING LIONS.
[Lughonat, Algeria, Letter to the Chicago Tri
bune.l

[Lughonat, Algeria, Letter to the Chicago Tri-
bune
Some time after breakfast, our drago.
man brought us the news that it was deer
ded to follow him Immediately. They had
found the place, about quarter of n mile
from the camp, where the lions had eaten
the nadia, or sheep, and it was thought
they could be attacked, as the ground was
very soft. We sent the dragoman to get
permission for US to 60 along with the
party. which was accorded, with the res
ervatien, however, that il we should kill
a lion we should not claim the skin. This
was entirely contrary to our wishes, of
course, but we accepted the
conditions rather than miss
the hunt. The party consist
ed Of nine persons, besides our party,
which made twelve. The man who had
killed the lion the day before, and who
seemed to be very knowing old fellow.
was given the lead or command. The
Arabs were armed with very rude guns,
with very long barrels and very short
stocks. Antoine and had each breech
loader of English manufacture, something
like the Sharpe's carbines which were
used during our war. We started on
horseback, first going to the place where
lions had eaten their prey, where we found
some wool and bones, and great many
tracks, which led off towards the hills.
We had not gone more than three miles
when il commenced to rain, and II was
soon pouring down such torrents as 10
destroy the trail, and we were compelled
to return to the camp, drenched to the
skin. The rain continued until late in
the afternoon, when il grew much colder.
SECOND NIGHT.
At night il was decided to put out a
strong guard all around the camp. We
we're given our choice Of positions, and
we selected a place on the side from
which the lion had come on the proceed.
ing night. We did this because we want.
cd to be where we could get shot if he
came, and because there was a slight rise
in the ground before US, which would en-.
able US to see the beast better, as the sky
would be behind him. | will only say
that we waited the night through but in
vain. We remained in camp all mex day,
asleep most Of the time, and at night
again took our position. IL had showed
during the afternoon. and the night was
quite cold. The sky was quite clear, and
we could distinguish objects hundred
yards away We waited until o'clock,
and told Antoine that ! would doze a
little while, but for him TO wake me IL
anything came before he did anything
else. just as was commencing to sleep
he punched me in the ribs. ! raised up
on my knees, and, looking in the direction
in which lie pointed, ! saw just over the
little hill the outline Of lions head and
neck. II was coming slowly towards US.
| examined my gun, and put it in proper
trim and position. Ia short
time the complete form Of
the beast was clearly outlined
upon the sky behind him. He was com.
ing with lesureIy, cat.lke tread. He
paused for moment when he reached
the crest Of the hill Then Antoine
pulled his trigger, and the cap snapped.
The lion heard this, and Immediately
turned and faced US, although he could
not very well see us, as we were in the
dark and lying fiat on the ground. just
at that moment, to add TO our unhappi.
ness, the head and body Of another lion
began to grow upon the line Of the top Of
the hill. This one we could easily see
was female, while the other was male.
But the last one did not reach the top OF