Louisiana capitolian., 1880-02-28
THE TERROR OF THE JUNGLE.
pERILs or LION HUNTING IN AFRICA.
Boston Commercial Bulletin.


with Observation-Disclosures, an OK team,
horses and dogs, were 'bivouacked,
after an exciting day of hunting, on u
small plain near the banks Of the
Sunday, u tributary Of the Buffalo
River, situated between Fort Lucas
and Quagga Krael, in that part Of
British Cntfiaria known rs Natal,
which as most readers ore aware,
forms an important portion Of South
Africa.
The day had been replete with ad-
venture, and the spoils Of the chase
were varied; but although the prime
object of the sportsman was to bring
down q tawny lion or two, they did
not disdain to have crack ut any
wild animal unlucky enough to come
within range Of their breeding "Man-
tans, consequently their "bag" com
prised springboks, guns, wild sheep,
Cape rabbits, u few birds, etc. With
the monarch of the forest, however,
they were not sosuccessfnl. They had
sighted u number--single and in pairs
-.butin every case their majestieskept
u respectful distance, and any attempt
at close acquaintance was frustrated
by their Immediately turning tail and
sneaking Off in tho most unroyal man
ner, thus refusing the long cherished
idea that the lion is the most courageous
of BEASTS. There are many opiuions
on this subject, tol and against, but
although lions are known ut times to
display wonderful audacity and brave
ry, our hunters this day were GER
tlinly disguised, and voted Leo to be
both II roaring braggart and coward.
1t was not with the most satisfied
air, therefore, that they returned to
the bivouac which they have quilted
in the morning, and, after securing
the stock and picketing the horses,
sat down to partake OF the evening
meal prcparedby that Hottentot cook.
But, after six or seven hours Of sharp
riding, the savory odor of springbok
IA species autclope) steaks, stewed
rabbit, hapiacks and aromatic oolong,
had q wonderfully soothing effect on
the hunters; and, when these good
things had been done ample justice
to, and pipes charged and lighted, the
wearicd Nimrods cast themselves with
perfect abandon around the fire for u
quiet chat before turning in, their
black attendants meanwhile applying
themselves with much address to the
disposal of the remains of the feast.
Although the day was fast declining,
the sun had not yet gone down, but
was, rs it were, amusing itself with
the tree tops andmountains, and light
ing up valleys and plains with occa-
sional bursts Of golden glory before
taking its final dip. The cattle were
munching their grain and juicy grass,
and, with the exception of the low
hum of the little encampmcnt and the
occasional chirp of the field cricket,
all nature was hushed, when, sud
denly, the echoes were awakened 10y
u sharp roar, reverberating through
the valley below, and bringing the
hunters to their feet at bound. The
roar was repeated, followed by yclls
of men and screams of women, and it
did not take our friends long to as
certain the direction from whence the
sudden alarm came.
They had remarked, when selecting
their camping ground, u couple of
Caff're huts--probably Fingocs or &C.
lakcs-about Il quarter of u mile dis
tant, on the verge of the first men
toned stream, and concluded that the
noise came from that quarter, and
without more ado three white men
saddled up, took their arms and de-
parted for the scene.
On arriving they found that the oc-
cupants of the little kraal had fled
with the exception of ayouth of about
seventeen, who was engaged in dcs-
pentcly hmling assegais at u large
lion standing ovcra prostrate body,
and short distance beyond they per-
ceivc lioness holding down second
human form, while other lions and
cubs were leisurely devouring u cou-
pie of Cattre cows. o
Taking in this situation at glance
our friends did not hesitate as to thci,
course; SO. riding boldly forward
they in turn delivered their fire at th,
first lion as they dashed past, and
wheeling in circle, gave the Iioness a
similar dose. Both beasts being
wounded and becoming furious, tho
hunters had to observe great caution
for the ANIMALS left their prey, and
roaring and lasling their flanks will
their tails, prepared to attack Their
assalants; accordingly Hardy, the
leader, dismounted, supported closely
by his friends Ferguson and Overton
and, approaching to within thirty
Yards Of the lion, knelt, took aim
fred straight at the breast, stretching
it dead with bullet through his
heart.
They then quickly turned their at
tenton to its mate, and none too soon
for she had crept forward to within
springing distance; and it was luck,
that Hardy's weapon was double-bar
relied, as he had just time to cock hi
piece and take aim when she, too
bounded upward. He fired the SANE
as before, but with the advantage
that his two mounted friends fire,
also; consequently she, like her lord
was placed beyond all further harm
doing. The other lions and cub
made off.
They now turned their attention t,
the human victims of the raid, ant
, found the prey Of the lioness to be
, male Caffre, badly mangIed and quit
dead; that of the lion proved to be
5 woman, stunned and bruised, bu
| otherwise unhurt. The Caff're youth
now coming up, threw himself pros
trate bedside the woman, evincing tn
| 4 "a