Morris tribune., 1880-06-10
Two Lions and an Antelope.

Apropos of lions and their prey, DIR.
Linderman, in his "Eight Months in an
Ox-Wagon," narrating his journeys into
the interior of South Africa, relates a
very interesting anecdote concerning the
power of the black antelope to defend it.
self and Its young from the attack of
these gigantic cats.
'"The swart-vitpense box, or sable an
telope. is the most rare, and therefore
most coveted antelope In South America.
In shape it much resembles donkey,
but, as its name implies, has a brilliant
black skin, changing into white under
meath the belly. Its great glory, hewev-
er, lies in its horns, which curve back
over its head, sometimes growing to
length of between four and five feet, and
reaching almost down Its back. At the
point they are as sharp as needles, but
strong and penetrating as bayonet.
These horns have given the box the name
of iOn-killer, and many are the stories
of the valiant defence it has made of it.
self and its young from the assaults of
its hereditary foe. One of the best-known
hunters in Africa narrated to me an en-
counter he once had the good fortune to
witness, between swart-vitpense and
two lions combined. His attention was
attracted by hearing a long-continued
roaring, which he at once knew to be IL
ons. at no great distance from HIM. He
had only fowllng- piece, so his first
thought was to make himself scarce as
quick as possible. Curiosity conquered
prudence, and as there were plenty of
trees about, he always had a way of re-
treat open by climbing into the branch
ee.
every cautiously he made his way In
the direction from which the roars pro-
ceeded, examining the bushes carefully
in front of him before venturing on an
open space, as the noise was now so close
aud so deaCcning thathe could not tell at
what moment he might come.face to face
with troop of lions, and, to judge by
their tones, exceedingly angry ones into
the bargain.
cat last, on bare space appeared the
authors of the turmoil, and protected
from view by the bushes, he was able to
observe all that took place. A swart-
vitpense lay crouched up in heap, with
what he recognised after time as its
young one folded In close embrace be
| tween its tore-legs; its horns were thrown
back and protecting its launches. On
either side of it stood full-grown male
lion, turiously enraged, its name almost
erect, and foaming at the mouth, with
| impatient wrath. As either one or the
other crouched dewn to spring, the box
inclined its head SO that the long, deadly
horns must transix the lion in its fall. If
one or them moved round in front, the
box veered its head in the same direc-
ton, but always contrivlng to keep a
lookout on the other at the same time,
and on the first sign of sDring lowering
its horns, but having them up before the
other dared to make an attack. For ten
minutes the same positions were main
tanned, neither of the lions being willing
to sacrifice himself for the others bene-
fit; and while thus waiting the spectator
perceived that the box had already re-
pulsed one attack, for the lion tarthest
away from him was bleeding from
la wound between the breast and
shoulder.
"At length the pair seemed to recog.
nize that one must be wounded if they
meant to kill the box at all, for both
crouched down ready to spring at once,
one at each side. The antelope renamed
motionless with his horns almost straight
up in the air. Beth the lions moved q
few feet further and then crouched down
again, as if collecting all their strength
for spring, and then, at the same in.
slant, they launched themselves on then
prey. For afew seconds all was confused
struggling heap, from which proceeded
such fearful roars and agonlzing means
as in the course of all his experience the
hunter had never heard before. At las
with convulsive struggle the box rolled
half over on its back, and from between
Its legs the young one darted out appar
emily unhurt, and disappeared in thu
bush. To the hunters amazement, b,
perceived that the lion which had beer
nearest to HIM was transfixed on the box
horn which entered between the foEelegs
protruded just to one side of the back
bone. The other lion lay alongside, roar
ing horribly, but not attempting to toucl
the box, which was evidently at its los
gasp.
1.-THE excitement Of the on-looker wa
now aroused to such pitch, that careles
Of the danger, he determined to try ant
Z square accounts with the surviving lion
, / although he only had shot in his gun
Taking the shot out OF the cartridge