The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1878-09-28
The Little Folks Column.
Catching a Lion.

~
of before folks, and kept hungry
all the time SO they would roar
awfully when fed, just to give lit
tie boys and girls the worth OF
their money. SO he hired two or
three good hunters and trappers,
and they fitted up sailing vessel
with cages, and took along pretty
beads, and cloth, and guns, and
powder and shot, as presents to
hire the natives with when they
got to Africa.
Nov, said the Snowman, "don't
you catch me any toothless old
grand-daddy lions, nor any Grip
plies, nor young whelps, but d real
savage chap, with long whiskers
and a shaggy name, that will lash
his sides with his tail, and prance
around in the cage, and roar till
every boy in the show shall drop
his peanuts and run from the ropes
to the highest seat in the tent"
The hunters promised and start
ed across the ocean. They sailed,
and they sailed, for about three
months, and finally came to the
coast near the hon country. They
found some native hunters, and
told them what they wanted-a
big, savage lion, alive. The native
negroes all opened their mouths
and eyes in wonder, and shook
their heads; and big chief picked
up a little sailor boy and slung
him over his shoulder, and went
running off on all tours with him
to show the hunters how the lion
would serve them if they attempt
ed to catch him alive.
But the hunters were bound to
try, and so they dug a deep pit
right in the path where the lions
came down the mountain to drink,
and thought they would be sure to
catch one; but the GINNING beasts
smelt something wrong, and jump
ped right over the light brush the
trappers had spread over the top.
Then they set a big bear trap, and
covered 1t carefully with dirt; but
the hon that got caught the trap
broke it with his great teeth and
got away. And then they laid in
weight and shot a big lion, think
ing to wound him SO they could
capture him, and then wait until
he got well. But when he felt the
bullet in bis shoulder, he bounced
on to the hunter who fired the
shot, and the others had to spear
and shoot the beast in dozen
places to save the life of the man.
fhen they tried to hunt the lions
with dogs-big savage bulldogs
and blood-hounds; but you might
as well try to hunt terrier dog
with mice, for the lion killed the
biggest dog with one cuff of his
great paw, and the rest ran yelp-
ing away.
Finally one of the hunters said:
"Well, if Mr.. Snowman is so very
particular about his lions, he had
better come and catch them him
self; l don't propose to make hon
meat of myself just to give him
noble lion for his old circus"
When the captain of the ship
heard this, he SAID he would come
ont after lions. and lion he was
bound to have, even if he had to
catch a sea-lion; but lie said he
preferred an African hon, and if
they'd all got through he would
try his hand. "Ali right, said the
hunters, "go ahead" And they
joked the captain, and asked him
If he was going to harpoon lion
like be would whale, or catch him
with hook, with little negro
baby for bait. But the old sailor
told them to wait and see.
The next day he took ten of his
best sailors, and gave them each
pistol and short sword for arms,
and long slip-nooees made of strong
rope. Then he took out his stout
est net, such AS they use III catch
ing the biggest fish, and they all
went up to the mountain. When
they came to the spot where a
monstrous hon had been seen to
come ont of the woods, he had
talk with the best climber of the
sailors, and then ordered him, up
the tree, Jack !" And Jack scam
pered up a tall, slim tree, as spry
as a monkey. Then he threw the
end of his lasso down and pulled
up the net, AID the captain aud all
the Others hid In the bushes.
Aha,,t ~, l,,,~ ft,,. th.,