Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-02-27
THE TERROR OF THE JUNGLE.
A Graphic Account Of the PeriIs OF Lion
Hunting I'm Africa.

near the banks of the Sunday, tribu-
tary of the Buffalo river, situated be-
tween Fort Lucas and Quagga Krael,
in that part of British Catfraria known
as Natal, which, as most readers are
aware, forms an important portion of
South Africa.
The day had been replete with adven-
ture. and the spoils of the chase were
varied; but, although the prime objects
OF the sportsmen was to bring down
tawnY lion or two, they did not disdain |
to have crack at any wild animal I'M
lucky enough to come within range of
their breech-loading "Mantons," con- |
sequently their bag" comprised spring |
boks, gnus, wild sheep, cape rabbits, a |
few birds, etc. With the monarch of |
the forest, however, they were not sue
cessful. They had sighted a namber-
single and in pairs-but in every case
their majesties kepta respectful distance,
and any attempt at close acquaintance
was frustrated by their Immediately
turning tail and sneaking off in the most
unroyal manner, thus refuting the long
cherished idea that the lion is the most
courageous of beasts. There are many
opinions on this subject, for and
against, but although lions are known
at times to display wonderful audacity
and bravery, our hunters this day were
certainly disguised, and voted Leo to be
both a roaring braggart and coward.
1t was not with the most satisfied air,
therefore, that they returned to the
bivouac which they had quilted in the
''nns>>i-S, end after securing the stock
and plcketing the horses, SAT down to
partake of the evening meal prepared
by the Hottentot cook. But after six
or seven hours of sharp riding, the
savory.odor of springbrok Ga species of
antelope) steaks, stewed rabbit, flap
derfully soothing effect on the hunters;
and, when these good things had been
done ample justice to, and pipes charged
and lighted, the weary Nimrods cast
themselves down with perfect abandon
around the fire for quiet chat before
turning in, their blank attendants mean
while 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,
as it were, amusing itself with the tree
tops and mountains, lighting up valleys
and plains with occasional 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 encamp-
ment and the occasional chirp of the
field cricket, all nature was hushed,
when, suddenly, the echoes were
awakened by sharp roar, reverberat-
ing through the valley below, and bring
ing the hunters to their feet with q
bound. The roar was repeated, followed
by yells of men and screams of women,
and it did not take our friends long to
ascertain the direction from whence the
sudden alarm came.
They had remarked, when selecting
their camping ground, a couple of Caffre
huts-probably Fingoes or Gelakas-
about a quarter of mile distant, on the
verge of the first mentioned stream, and
concluded that the noise came from that
quarter, and without more ado the
three white men saddled up, took their
arms and departed for the scene.
On arriving they found that the Oc-
cupants of the little kraal had fled with
the exception of youth of about seven
teen, who was engaged in desperately
hurting assegais at a large lion standing
over PROSTATE body, and q short dis
lance beyond they perceived a lioness
holding down a second human form,
while other lions and cubs were leisurely
devouring couple of Caffre COWS.
Taking in this situation at glance,
our friends did not hesitate az to their
course; so riding boldly forward, they
in turn delivered their fire at the first
lion as they dashed past, and, wheeling
in circle, gave the lioness similar
dose. Both beasts being wounded and
becoming furious. the hunters had to
observe great caution, for the animals
left their prey, and roaring and lasbng
, their TANKS with their tails, prepared to
attack their aSsailants; accordingly
, Hardy, the leader, dismounted, sup
! ported closely by his friends Ferguson
! and Overton, and approaching to within
&, forty yards of the lion, knelt, took aim,
fired straight at the breast and stretched
it dead with a bullet through his heart
: They then quickly turned their atten'
ton to its mate, and none too soon, for
she had crept for ward to within spring
ing distance; but it was luck thai
Hardy's weapon was double-barreled
a as he had just time to cock his piece anc
t take aim when she, too, bounded up
i ward. He fired the same as before bu
: with the advantage that his two
s mounted friends fired also; consequently
), she, like her lord, was placed beyond
y all further harm-doing. The othel
v lions and cubs made off.
t They now turned their attention t,
a thehuman victims of the raid, and fount
| the prey of the lioness to be a NAL
y Caffre, badly mangled and quite dead
u that of the lion proved to be woman
d stunned and bruised, but otherwise I'm
= hurt. The Caffre youth, now COMM
e up, threw himself PROSTATE beside tn
: woman, evincing the most intense grie
g mingled with The deepest affection a
v he patted her, and in language unin
9 telligible to his deliverers attempted t
It arouse her. Overton soon changed hi
s grief to joy by placing his brandy fas
8 to her lips, with almost magical result
t and the youth, seeing her restored, hur
e ried off to the other body, but upon fine
d ing life extinct was once more in de
1t spair.
IS However, savage as he was, he was
philosopher in his way; his father wa
:, dead beyond doubt, but his mother wa
s alive; therefore he cast aside his gri,
:, for his male parent and INDUCED in 10
IS at the safety of his mother, alternatin
d his caresses OF her with grateful de
d monstration toward her friends, pa,
n ticularly Hardy.
n One of the Hottentots now coming u
lie he acted as interpreter, and soon Il
ID hunters were in possession of the fac
1t attending this evenings adventure.
y appeared that the lions had raided the
Is herd of cattle, and OR flying to the
ID rescue, the savage animals had turne
he on them with the above result; the
d Caffre friends, instead of aiding ther
ID incontinently fled, and had not since r
% turned. Such being the case, and Sc