Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-06-06
GaIes ano Sketftts.
AyALGERIAN LION STORY.
CONTINUED from Yesterday


mind, where was Cognac?
hidden somewhere If the lion got sight
of him, it would. knew, be soon all over
with the poor little fellow.
.sAll at once there arose, close at hand,
an awful and fearful yell. 1t had strange
muffied tone, but there was no mistaking
Cognac's voice.
"A gain it came resonant. .long- drawn,
and sepnlchral It seemed to come from
inside the tree Where the deuce was he?
THE lion appeared utterly astonished
and turned his ears so far back to listen
that they were almost inside out, when
from some hole among the roots of the
trees there popped a small yellow head
with long ears.
"'Down, down, Cognac" | cried in my
agony: go back, SIR
"A cry of delight, cut short by a piteOus
whine, was his reply, as he spied me, and
then dashing fully yard toward the lion,
he barked defantly.
with low growl and ruffled name,
the beast charged at the little dog.
Back went Cognac into his cave as
quick as rabbit. and stormed at him
from inside.
''Thrusting his great paw right down
the hole. the lion tried to claw him out
Oh, how trembled tor Cognac!
'.But he kept up such a ceaseless fire of
swapping and snarling that it was plain he
was either well round corner or that the
hole was deep enough for his safety.
'Ali the same to see the great coward
ly beast digging away at my poor little
dog like that was more than | could stand
Cooking my pistol, shouted, and as he
looked up fired at his bloOd-shot eye.
He shook his head, and | gave him the
other barrel.
with scream OF rage he bounded
back.
"Cognac Immediately shot forth his
head and insulted him with jeering banks.
''But he was not to be drawn again, and
after Bit he lay down further off and
pretended to go to sleep. Cognac barked
at him till he was tired, and then retired
into his castle.
"Reloading, / found had only three
bullets left, and concluded to hold them
for crisis.
1T was now past noon, To beguile
the time, smoked a pipe or two. sang a
song, and cut my name. Cognac's. and
Marengo's on the tree, leaving space
for the lions which | determined should
be Wellington. | wished he would
go away. Having some milk in
my bottle, took drink, and should
have liked to give some to Cognac. The
lion began to pant, with his red thOrny
tongue hanging a foot out of his mouth.
He was as NANCY and disreputable look
ing brute as ever saw. By-and-by he
got up and snuffed the air all round him,
and then without as much as looking at
me, walked off and went deliberately
down the road.
slipped to the ground. | caught up
Cognac. who had crept out directly, and.
after looking carefully round for the lion.
was smothering me with caresses. The lion
was turning toward bushy clump IN
hollow about 200 yards off. The light
green foliage-willows. water? Had the
cunning brute smiled it out?
'Anyhow it was relief to stretch ones
legs alter sitting six mortal hours on
branch. The lion disappeared round the
bushes. | strained my eyes over the
plain, but could see nothing moving. Then
| gave Cogpac 4 drink of milk aud few
bits of bread cake, for which he was very
grateful. OF course it was no use begin
ming a race against a lion with only POO
yards start in any number of miles. The
tree WIS better than that.
All the same, he was long time; per-
haps he was gone for good. Bah there
came his ugly head round the corner again
making straight for us.
When he was pretty near kissed Cog
nae. and threw bit of cake into the hole.
Then climbed again to my perch. Cog
nae retired growing into his fortress ard
the beast of a hon mounted guard over
us rs before.
He looked cool and comfortable and
had evidently had good drink.
Another hour and he was still there.
While was still wondering how long
he really meant to stay. and if was des-
tined to spend all night on a bough like a
monkey, and on very short commons, he
got up, and walking quietly TO the foot of
the tree without uttering a 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 l was on. COUGHING
his head on his paws as if to hide his NOR
LITIGATION.
Suddenly the thought came into my
mind: Why not make a devil, and drop
it on his backP dismissed the thought as
ridiculous, but 1t came again. As we
have all. including our English friend here
been boys, you know what | mean-not a
fallen angel. but gunpowder devil.
Good! Well, it seemed feasible would
try it:
= / had plenty of powder in my little
flask. so putting some into my hand
moistened it well with spittle and kneaded
away until it came out tiny Vesuvius OF
black paste. Then | formed the little
crater. which filled with a few grains OF
dry powder. and set it carefully on the
branch.
My hand shook so with excitement |
could hardly hold the flint and steel; but
struck and struck-the finder ignited-
now, Vesuvius,
Whit. whiz. The lion looked up di-
rectly. but dropped it plump on the back
of his neck. For an instant he did not
seem to know what had happened; then
with an angry growl up he jumped and
tore savagely at the big fiery flea on his
back, which sent shower of sparks into
his mouth and nose.
Again and again he tried. and then
raved wildly about using the most horri.