St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-04-05
Chasing a Lion in South Africa.

During the night lions have been
prowling about and keeping up a
hideOus roaring, SO hurry away in front
with the prospect of meeting one stroll
ing home in the gray light of the early
hours. The air is raw and cold, so {
march at the double-quick and reckless
ly thrust my hands to the bottom of my
pockets in the happy consciousness of
not being in Regent street. My two usual
attendants in my hunting expeditions
have considerably shriveled up, and
have developed an ashy complexion I'M
pleasant to behold, and they stink around
Shivering with the cold and doubtless
envYing me my pockets.
We soon get considerable distance
ahead of the caravan, and begin to keep
a sharp look out for game. Several
herds are described at distance;
but, not caring to 60 far out of the way,
we leave these unmolested. Matters,
however, do not become more promis-
ing, and we begin to conclude there is
to be no sport this morning. just as
that thought shapes itself down sinks
the guide in crouching position, while
he excitedly whispers: "a lion! lionm
Instinctively we follow his example.
After hurried glance at my rifle I
cautiously raise my head. Looking in
the direction indicated by the guide
[ am mortified at seeing a fine lion
leisurely bounding away through the
long grass. Rising erect | fire pre-
cipitately. The lion, unframed, simply
pauses for momentary stare and then
continues its course. Grinding out an
expression of intense vexation, and
yielding to the impulse of the moment,
Irush after the animal in hot haste. My
servants, less eager and more wise than
I, remain where they were 1t never
occurs to me that have only the re-
naming cartridge ofny double-barreled
rifle for possible encounter with the
enemy.
The movements of the lion can only
be traced by the shaking Of the grass.
and with eye intently fixed on that I
dash on pell-mell, tripping, stumbling
and gasping for breath, while my heart
palpitates with the excitement Of the
chase. We thus keep up the race for
about 800 yards, when all at once the
shaking of the grass ceases, reminding
me that must proceed with much more
caution lest L rush abruptly into the
fervenG embraces of his leonine high
Mesa contamination most deVoutly to
be deprecated, seeing | have no ambi-
ton for the worlds reprobation and a
warning epitaph. Moving on very
stealthily for some time suddenly
emerge into an open space, and as sud-
haJ Eo. fbn1ao OF dc
the lion at q distance of a little more |
than fifteen yards, with its side toward |
me, and evidently awaiting my ap-
proach, The momentary shock gives
place instantly toa strange feeling Of ex-
ultaton. With such a splendid oppor-
tunity for shot am sure of my game!
Mentally, as by a flash, / picture my
self exhibiting the trophies of the |
encounter to an admiring troop of |
friends. I level my gun, and bang! it |
goes: To my infinite modification, and,
as think, against all the laws of
reason, there is neither the grand death
spring nor the last tragic roar. I'm
wounded and undaunted, there stands
my dangerous antagonist, staring upon
the huntern' 1t takes one or two
SECONDS TO let the grim realities or the
situation dawn upon my Imagination.
Only too evidently are the tables turned
upon me. have no ammunition, and
dare not fee. To 'sfix" him with my
eye unfortunately does not occur to me
as practicable. On the contrary, I
have very distinct consciousness that
he has "fxed'' me, and that | should
not be ungrateful for some convenient
tree from which might try the fasci-
nation of the human gaze. Thus for .
little space. which to me seemed hours,
we stand face to face, The lion seems
uncertain what to do, but finally re-
solves to treat me with contempt.
Turning with dignity, he gives one or
two powerful bounds and disappears in
the jungle, while /, limp and be-
draggled, return to my men, Good
Words.
--1a~ -ep----