Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-10-13
Miseella,.eoms.
LION HUNTING,

LION HUNTING.
REAL LIFE IN THE JUNGLES-THE LION
AND THE PANTHER-THEIR HABITS AND
TRAITS OF CHARACTER-THE EXPERI-
ENCE OF AN ENGLISH OFFICER--"THRIL-
LING INCIDENTS"
You wish me to initiate you into the se-
crets of the true Arab lion hunt, which you
must begin by knowing it little resembles
the fantastic tales told by certain Europe
an travellers, and dilated upon by news
papers and novel writer's until there is no
possibility OF separating truth from fic-
ton, or drawing to any satisfactory de-
gree a conclusion regarding the lion and
panther, which are in fact our only dan
gclous African carniyorous animals. Lions
are quite numerous in certain parts of the
province OF Constantine. rare in those of
AlgierS and Oran. Panthers. on the con-
trary. are seldom seen in the last two
provinces, but are numerous in Algiers.
The habits of these two carnivora differ
essentially. As a general rule. neither
the one nor the other attacks man, unless
molested or threatened by him. 1t some
times happens, however, that a panther
surprised whilst eating springs furiously
upon the man whose imprudent foot has
troubled the silence of his repast, and in
this case there is nothing to hope, as be-
fore the bravest man can have got possess
sion of his arms he is a bruised and broken
mass. The panther tears and mutilates
the body, even after all life has fed, but
does not devour it. In general he kills
for the pleasure of killing. and even when
attacking a flock or herd he vents his saw
age fury on many before deciding to eat
one.
The lion, on the contrary, springs upon
his victim and at once devours it, or,
dragging it to preferred dining-spot, qui-
etly makes his repast nor thinks Of troub-
ling the rest of the flock until renewed
appetite leads him to satisfy hunger in the
same way. If during the repast he sees
man approach, and Is not ravenous, he
gets up and walks away slowly, one may
say solemnly,-or sometimes not even
deigning this he raises his majestic head,
looks at the intruder, and by a half-friend-
ly growl warns him that he will not stand
being troubled when at dinner A pedes-
trian finding himself in this position does
well to withdraw slowly, for, should he
become frightened snd run, the lion is
quite capable of feeling a desire to over.
take him. and in that case will even in
that case, if the man has presence of mind
sufficient to understand the danger, and
do the only thing remaining to DE done,
he may still escape safe and sound For
the lion seems oitenest actuated by half
playful, friendly sentiment, and so he does
not lose his respect for man--seldom
troubles him. Oftentimes he joins and
passes the pedestrian, and when at good
distance crouches across his path, watch
ing his approach. If the man has the un-
fortunate idea of turning to run away, he
is lost; but ii he comes on quietly, neither
faster nor slower than his usual pace,
looking his enemy steadily in the face,
and showing no signs Of fear, he has ev-
cry chance to escape. The lion will
growl, wag his tail in rather terrifying
way, but, allowing the man to pass be.
fore him. get up, and as though admitting
to himself that he had honestly lost the
game. go quietly back to his lair.
A lion rarely attacks women, and once
witnessed scene which will go further
than the longest explanation toward illus.
trating ;his. 1t was hot sultry day in
July. The sirocco made the atmosphere
dense with sand and glare the very earth
seemed on fire. ] was returning from a
little expedition on the frontiers OF Tunis,
and as had some matters TO settle with
tribes in the environs of la Gale, l left my
troops to return to Constantine, and. fol-
lowed only by two spahis, turned my steps
toward la Gale. Having started Just be-
fore day, we arrived about four o'clock in
the afternoon at the ford of little river de
la uatrog. Our horses, as well as we our
selves, were sadly in want of food and
drink. and we stopped TO refresh ourselves
at little inn kept by European, and sit
uated on low mound two or three hun.
dred yards from the ford. Whilst waiting
for my frugal repast unbuckled nv sword
laid by my pistols and stretched out COM
tortabIy in the shade, idly watched band
OF Arab women washing clothes in the
river All at once | was startled by cries
proceeding from the opposite side Off sand
heap bordering the river. and half dozen
woman came rushing into the midst of
their peaceable companions. dragging
them into the shallow water, and behind
them magnificent lion, his tail proudly
in air and his great brown eyes looking
caressingly from one to the other. Pay
no attention TO their retreat into the river,
he followed them there, rubbing himself
up against them, not seeming to mind in
the least their cries or terrified gesticula-
tions, and when he had had enough of it
he took a long drink Of the running water
and. turning, majestically walked away
into the mountains from whence he had
come. This lion was stranger in that
part of the country, and when on the fol-
lowing day went in search of him he had
disappeared.
will recall another souvenir of this
same expedition which will prove 10 YOU
the harmless nature of an unattached lion.
One day, after rather serious skirmish
against the revolted tribes, led my two
of infantry to little river situ-
ated two miles from the fort where we
were stationed, in order to allow them to
bathe and clean their arms. As a meas
are of fprudence | allowed but halfthe men
20 disarm and enter the river at the time
he remaining battalion being on the gui
ctre, ready for defence. As there was no
need for haste, allowed the men what
lime they liked for bathing and cleaning,
and night, which falls so suddenly in AT
rica, surprised on our return at few mo:
nents' march from the fort. was sud-