The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-08-16

bnshy clump In d hollow about two
hundred yards off. That light grcon
foliagc-willows, water Had the cum
ming brute snitfrd it out
"Anyhow, it was relief to stretch
ones legs after sitting six mortal hours
ON brmch. The lion disappeared
round the bushes. l strained my ewes
over the plain, but could see nothing
moving. Then L gave Cognac drink
of milk and few bits of bread-cake.
for which he was very grateful. OF
course 1T was no use beginning q race
against a lion with only 200 Yards start
IN any number of miles. The tree was
better than that.
"All the same, he was long time;
perhaps he was really gone for good.
Bah! there carno his ugly head round
the corner again, making straight for
us.
'Wncn he was pretty near I kissed
Cognac, and threw Il bit of cake into tho
hOic. Then l climbed again to my
perch, CoGnac retired growing into his
fortress, and the beast of a lion mounted
guard over us as before.
"He looked quite cool and comfort
able, and had evidently had n good
drink
"Another hour and he was still there
"While [ was wondering how long he
really meant to stay, and if / was dcs
tined to spend all night on bough like
monkey, and Oh very short commons.
he got up, and walking quietly to the
foot Of the tree. without uttering sound
sprang up at me with all his might.
''He was quite yard short, but [ was
so startled that nearly lost my balance.
His coup having failed, he lay down
right under the branch | was on, couch
ing his head on his paws as if to hide his
modification.
"Suddcnly the thought camo into my
mind: Why not make devil, and drop
it on his back? l dismissed it rs rdcn-
lnrs, but it came again. As we have all,
boys, you know what | mcan--not n
fallen angel, hut the eunpowdcr devil.
Good We'll, it seems feasiblc-l
wouli try it.
"l had plenty of powder in my little
flask, SO pouring some into my hand |
mois!Gncd it we'll with spittlc aml
kucadcd away Ill! it came to Il tiny We.
suvius of black paste. Then l formed
thc little crater, which [ filled with Il
few grains of dry powder, and set it
carefully on the branch.
"My hands shook 80 with excitement |
could hardly hold the flint and steel ;
bat / struck and struck-the tiGdcr ig.
mitcd-n"w Ncsuvius.
"WEir, whzz The lion looked ur
directly, but | dropped it plump on the
back OF his neck. For an instant he dij
OF seem to know what had hnppencd
Ihcn with an angry 2rowl up be jumped
and tore savagcly at the fiery flea on his
back, which sent a shower of sparks into
his mouth and nose.
"Again and gain he tried, and thcl
raved wildly about, using the most hor.
riblo lionirc language, and no wonder
for the devil had worked well down
among his greasy hair, and must have
Stung him like a hundred hornets. Iii.
back hair and mano burst into a flame.
and he shricked with rage and terror.
Then Ec went stark staring mad
clapping his tail between his legs, lail
back his ears and rushed out of the grove
ut twenty miles an hour, and disappeared
up the raVmc.
" Almost as mad as the lion with Joy,
and feeling sure he was gone for good, ]
tumblcd down the tree and ran off along
the road as hard as l could, with Cognnc
barking at my heels. By-and-by / had
to pull up, for the sun was still very hot
but | walked as fast as / could, looking
out all the time for Marrngo, who wo,;ld
not, knew, go very far from his master
Presently l Spicd him in hollow. A
whistle, and, whinnying with delight, he
trottcd up and laid his head on my
honldcr.
In my hurry I had forgotten the
bride, bnt with my belt and handkcr.
chief ! cXtcmporisrd halter, tied on,
end round his nosc, and catching NJ
CoGnnc, mounted, and gallopcd of, de
lying all the lions in Africa to catch me
"Thcrc were still two hours b,for,
| sunset to reach the next village, ana j.,
hard riding did it. That we all thrc,
Of lis enjoyed our supper goes withou
saying: And that, gentlemen, is m.
| story"
We agreed it was wonderful. .-AH M
IC0y RD1uM