The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-06-09

milk and few bits of bread cake, fol
which he was very grateful. OF course
it was no use beginning race against q
| lion with only two hundred 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 came his ugly head round
the corner again, and making straight
| for as.
when he was pretty near
kissed Cognac, and threw bit of cake
into the hole. Then I climbed again to
/ my perch. Cognac retired growing into
his fortress and the beast of a lion
mounted guard over ne as before.
He looked quite cool aud comforts
BILE, and had evidently had a good
drink.
Another hour passed ana he was
still there.
while I was still wondering how
long he really meant to say, and if was
destined to spend all night on bough
like monkey, and on very short COM
mons, he got up, and walking quietly to
the foot of the tree. without uttering q
sound sprang up at me with all his
might.
HE was quite yard short, but I
was so startled that nearly lost my bal
ance.
s'His coup having failed he lay down
right down under the branch I was on.
crouching his head on his paws as if to
hide his modification.
Suddenly the thought came into my
mind Whv ~ noLo n
it on his back? I dismissed the thought.
but it came again. AS we have all. in,
Guiding our English friend here, been
boys, you know what mean-not fall
len angel, but gunpowder devil.
Good! Well, it seemed feasible-I
would try.
81 had plenty of power in my little
task, SO putting some into my hand I
moistened it well with spittle and knead-
ed away until il came out tiny Vesu.
vius of black paste. Then I formed q
little crater, which I filled with few
grains of dry powder. and set it carefully
on the branch.
my hand shook 80 with excitement
could hardly hold the flint and steel. but
/ struck and stru sk-the tinder ignited
now, Vesuviusl
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 was the matter: :
then with an angry growl up he jumped
and tore savagely at the big fiery fee on
his back, which sent shower of sparks
into his mouth and nose.
"Agaln and agaid he tried, and then
raved wi dly about, using the most hor-
rible leonine language, and no wonder,
for the devil had worked well down in
his greasy hair, and must have stung
him like dozen hornets. His back hair
and main burst into fame, and he
shrieked with rage and terror.
~Then he went stark, staring mad.
clapped his tail between his legs. laid
his ears back and rushed out of the
grove at 90 miles an hour and disap-
peared up the ravine.
almost as mad as the lion with JOY.
and feeling sure that he had gone for
geod, tum bled down the tree and ran
along the road as hard as could, with
Cognac 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 Marengo.
who would not I knew, go very far from
his master. Presently spied him in
hollow. A whistle. and whining with
delight, he trotted up and laid his nose
on my shoulder.
In my hurry had forgotten my bri-
die, but with my belt and handkerchief
I extemporized halter, tied one end
around his nose, and catching up Cog
nag, mounted and gallopped away,
defying all the lions in Africa to catch
me.
There were still two hours before
sunset to reach the next village, but by
hard riding did it. That we all three
of US enjoyed our suppers goes without
saying. And that, gentlemen, is my
story"
We all agreed it was wonderful
the Year Round.