The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-03-11
SHOOTING LIONS.
American Major in the African Junsles.
Algeria, letter to the Chicago Tri'
bupe

Lughonat, Algeria, letter to the Chicago Tri-
bune.
Some time after breakfast, our
dragoman brought US the news that it
was decided to follow the lions i'm
mediately. They had found the place,
about 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 obtain permission for us to go along
with the party, which was accorded,
with the reservation, however, that if
we should kill lion we should not
claim the skin. This was entirely con-
trary to our wishes, of course, but we
accepted the conditions rather than
miss the hunt. The party, which
made twelve. The man who had kill
ed the lion the day before, and who
seemed to be o very knowing old
fellow, who was given the lead, or
command. The Arabs were armed
with very rude guns, with very long
barrels and very short stocks. An
tome and l had each breech-loader
of English manufacture, something
like the Sharpe's carbines used during
our war. We started on horseback,
first going TO the place where the lions
had eaten their prey where we found
some wool and bones, and a great
many tracks which led off toward the
hills. We had not gone more than
three miles when it commenced to
rain, and it 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 the after
noon, when it grew much colder a
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
preceding night. We did this be-
cause we wanted to be where we
could get a shet if he came, ,and because
there was a slight rise in the ground
before us, which would enable us to
see the beast better, as the sky would
be behind him. 1 will only say we
waited the night through but in yain.
We remained in camp all next day,
asleep most Of the time; and at night
again took our positions. 1t had
showed during the afternoon, and the
night was quite cold. The sky was
quite clear, and we could distinguish
objects a hundred yards away. We
waited until 3 o'clock, and l told An
tone that 1 would dozs little while,
but for him to awaken me if anything
came, before he did anything else.
just as l was commencing to sleep he
punched me in the ribs. l raised up
on my knees, and, looking in the di-
rection which he pointed, l saw just
over little hill the outline of a lions
head and back. 1t was coming slow
and put it in a proper trim and posi-
ton, In short time The complete
form of the beast was clearly outlined
upon the sky behind him, He was
coming 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, al
though he could not very we'll see us,
as swe were in the dark and lying flat
on the ground. Just at that moment,
to add to our unhappiness, the head
and body of another lion began to
grow upon the line of the top of the
hill. Antoine had re-capped his gun,
He told me to take the one on my side,
which was the female, and he would
take the other. We both took aim
and fired! immediately there was a
most deafening roar, followed by 9TH
| ers nearly as bad, and then continuous
growing, AS soon as we fired we
had fallen back a little, and laid flat
ON the ground and commenced to re-
load. On looking up we saw the two
lions together going slowly down the
hill on the other side. l rushed for.
ward to get another shot before they
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 time
the whole camp was in an uproar, an(
it was finally decided not to pursue
the lions that night, but to take th'
trail early in the morning.
About three hours later the SAM
party that had started after the lion
before now struck the trail again. L