The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-04-22
SHOOTING LIONS.

SHOOTING LIONS.
[Lnghonat, Algeria, Letter to the Chicago Tri-
bune.]
Some time after breakfast, our drago-
man brought us the news that it was deci-
ded to follow him Immediately. They had
found the place, about a quarter OF 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 I 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
ONE wool and bones, and great many
tracks, which led off towards the hills.
We had not gone more than three miles
when it commenced to rain, and 1t was
soon pouring down such torrents as to
DESTROY the trail, and we were compelled
to return to the camp, drenched to the
skin. The rain continued until late in
he afternoon, when it grew much colder.
SECOND NIGHT.
At night it was decided to put out a
strong guard all around the camp. We
were given our choice Of positions, and
we selected place on the side from
which the lion had come on the preced-
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. l 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. 1t 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 3 o'clock,
and told Antoine that l 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. l raised up
on nv knees, and, looking in the direction
in which he pointed, l saw just over the
little hill the outline of lions head and
neck. 1t was coming slowly towards us.
| examined my gun, and put 1t IN proper
trim and position. In short
time the complete form OF
the beast was clearly outlined
upon the sky behind him. He was com
ing with leisurely, cat-like 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 coulc
not very well see us, as we were in thu
dark and lying fat on the ground. Just
at that moment, to add to our unhappi
ness, the head and body of another lio1
began to grow upon the line Of the top q
the hill. This one we could easily Bel
was female, while the other was male
But the last one did not reach the top o
the hill. Antoine had recapped his gun
He told me to take the one on my side
which was the fem ale, and he would TAX
the other. We both took aim and fired
~ no 0vNe
roar, followed by others nearly as bad
and then continuous growing. AS sool
as we fred we had fallen back little
and laid fat on the ground and com
menced to reload. On looking up We saw
the two lions together slowly going dow
the hill on the other side. rushed for
ward to get another shot before they dis
appeared, but the cap snapped. and b.
the time had another ready the lion
had disappeared among the underground
in the edge Of the wood. We did no
follow them, but we heard them growl
ing for fifteen minutes. BY this tim
the whole camp was in an uproar, and il
was finally decided not to pursue tn
lions that night, but to take the tra
early in the morning.
SECOND DAY S HUNT.
About three hours later the same paI
ty that had started after the lions befor
now struck the trail again. 1t was no
difficult to follow, for there was, now an
then. blood upon it. 1t led US up an
around the side Of hill, until We came
the table land between that and anothe
hill. We went down this for an hour G
more. when the leader, who was hu,
dred yards or more in advance, motione
us to stop. He rode back to us, spok
something in Arabic to those III advant
Of us, when he left his horse and wer
ahead on foot. We all then dismounte'
left the horses in charge of three Of Il
men, and followed. at some distance
the rear Of the leader, in perfect silenc
In . few minutes We began to hear
noise, which at once gave us to undo
stand that We were near the object Of OF
search. 1t was deep, rumbling grow
We now took our way more cautiousl