The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-02-26
THE TERROR OF THE JUNGLE.
A Graphic Account of the PerIIs OF Lion
Hunting I'm Africa.

citing day OF hunting, on n small plain
near the banks of the Sunday, a tribu-
tary of the Buffalo ri YER, situated be-
tween Fort Lucas and Quagga Krael,
in that part of British Caffraria 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 a
tawny lion or two, they did not disdain
to have a crack at any wild animal un-
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 number
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 disgusted, and voted Leo to be
both n 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
| morning, and after securing the stock
and picketing 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
jacks and aromatic Oolong, had n won
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 II. 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 gain
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 a sharp roar, reverberat-
ing through the valley below, and bring
ing the hunters to their feet with a
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 alalm came.
They had remarked, when selecting
their camping ground, q couple of Cafire
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 a youth of about seven
teen, who was engaged in desperately
hurting assegais at large lion standing
over a PROSTATE body, and a short dis
tance beyond they perceived a lioncss
holding down q second human form.
devouring couple of Caffre cows.
Taking in this situation at glance,
our friends did not hesitate as 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 a 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 lashing
their hanks 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 bullet through his heart.
They then quickly turned their atten-
ton to its mate, and none too soon, for
she had crept forward to within spring
ing distance; but it was luck that
Hardy's weapon was double-barreled
as he had just time to cock his piece and
take aim when she, too, bounded up
ward. He fired the same as before but
with the advantage that his two
mounted friends fired also; consequently
she, like her lord, was placed beyond
all further harm-doing. The other
lions and cubs made off
They now turned their attention To
the human victims of the raid, and found
the prey OF the lioness to be male
Catfre, badly mang led and quite dead
that of the lion proved to be woman,
stunned and bruised, but otherwise un.
hurt; The Catfre youth, now coming
up, threw himself PROSTATE beside the
woman, evincing the mostintense griei
mingled with The deepest affection as
he patted her, and in language unin-
telligible to his deliverers attempted to
arouse her. Overton soon changed his
grief to JOY by placing his brandy flask
to her lips, with almost magical result
and the youth, seeing her restored, hur-
ried off to the other body, but upon find
ing life extinct was once more in de-
spair.
However, savage as he was, he was a
philosopher in his way; his father was
dead beyond doubt, but his mother was
alive; therefore he cast aside his grief
for his male parent and INDUCED in ioy
at the safety of his mother, alternating
his caresses of her with grateful de-
monstration toward her friends, par
ticularly Hardy.
One ofthe Hottentots now coming I'D.
he acted as interpreter, and soon the
hunters were in possession of the facts
attending this evenings adventure. 1t
appeared that the lions had raided their
herd of cattle, and on flying to their
rescue, the savage animals had turned
on them with the above result; their
Caffre friends, instead of aiding them,
incontinently fled, and had not since re-
turned. Such being the case, and see
i,,r 4 4 Al. L