The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-01-04
The Lion-KiIIer.

The Lion-KiIIer.
People i'll Tunis, Africa-at least, some
of the older people-often talk of the
wonderful exploits Of lion-killer who
was famous there forty years ago. The
story is this, and is said to be entirely
true:
The lion-killer was called "The
Sicilian," because his native country
was Sicily; and he was known as "The
Christian among the people in Tunis,
who were mostly Arabs, and, conse-
quently, Mohammedans He was also
called Hercules" because of his
strengthened being the name of a
strong demi-god of the ancient Greeks.
He was not built like Hercules, how
ever; he was TALL but beautifully pro-
portioned, and there was nothing in his
form that betrayed his powerful mus
cles. He performed prodigies of
strength with so much gracefulness and
ease as to astonish all who saw them.
He was member of travelling show
company that visited Tunis-very much
as menagerie and circus troupes go
about this country now from town to
town. His part of the business was,
not simply to do things that would dis
play his great strength, but also to rep
resent scenes by pantomime so that they
would appear to the audience exactly as
if the real scenes were being performed
before their very eyes. In one of these
scenes he showed the people how he had
encountered and killed lion with q
wooden club in the country of Damas-
Gus. This is the manner in which he
did it,
After a flourish of trumpets, the Sicil-
ian came upon the stage, which was AZ
ranged to represent circle, or arena,
and had three palm-trees in the middle.
He was handsomely dressed in a cos
tune of black velvet, trimmed with sill
yer braid, and, as he looked around
upon the audience with grave but gen.
tie expression, and went through with
the Arabian salutation, which was to
bear his right hand to his heart, mouth
and forehead successfully, there was
perfect silence, so charmed were the
people with his beauty and dignity.
Then an interpreter cried:
"The Christian will show you how,
with his club, he killed lion in the
country of Damascus p
Immediately following this came
another flourish of trumpets and strik
ing of cymbals, as if to announce the
entrance of the lion. Quickly the ST.
Gillian sprung behind one of the three
palms, whence to watch his enemy
With an attentive and resolute eye, lean
ing his body first to the right and ther
to the left of the tree, he kept his gaze
on the terrible beast, following all it,
movements with the graceful motions
of his own body, so naturally and suita
bly, as to captivate the attention OF the
spectators.
"The lion surely is there |" they
whispered. We do not see him, bu
he sees him How he watches his leas
motion! How resolute he is He viii
not allow himself to he surprised"
Suddenly the Sicilian leaps; with
bound he has crossed from one palm
tree to another, and, with seconC
spring, has climbed halfway up tn,
tree, still holding his massive club il
one hand. One understands by hi
movements that the lion has followed
him, and, crouched and angry, stops a
ing over, notes the slightest change o
posture; then, like fash of light, h
leaps to the ground behind the trunk o
the tree; the terrible club makes q whist
ling sound rs it swings through the air
and the lion falls TO the ground.
The scene was so well played that tn
widest applause came from all parts O
the audience.
Then the interpreter came in, and
throwing at the feet of the Hercules
magnificent lions skin, cried:
"Behold the skin of the lion that tn
Christian killed in the country of Da
mascus."
The fame of the Sicilian reached tn
ears of the Bey of Tunis. But the roya
dignity of the Bey, the reigning Primo
of that country, would not allow him 3
be present at exhibitions given to tn
common people. Finally, however
having heard so much about the hand
some and strong Sicilian, he becam
curious to see him, and said
eff this Christian has killed one Ito
with club he can kill another. TIE
him that if he will knock down my gran
lion with it, 1 will give him thou
sand ducats quite large sum
those days, ducat being about equal {
the American dollar.
At this time the Bey had several youn
lions that ran freely about in the cour
yard or garden of his palace, and in
great pit, entirely surrounded by hig
terrace, on level with the ground-Aoc
of the palace, superb Atlas lion wa
kept in royal captivity. 1t was this lilo
that the Bey wished the SicilIan to con
bat. The proposition was sent to th
Sicilian, who accepted it without hesiti
ton, and without boast what he would d,
The combat was to take place wee
from that time, and the announcemel
that the handsome Sicilian was to fgl
a duel with the grand lion was sprea
far and wide, even to the borders of u
desert, producing profound sensation
Everybody, old and young, great an
small, desired TO be present; moreove
the people would be freely admitted
the garden of the Bey, where they cou