The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-06-20
DEADLY STRUGGLE.
Extraordinary Contest Between ;
Gorilla and Lion in Central
Africa.
The Giant Ape, Challenged by the King
of Beasts, Accepts the
Def.
The Gorilla Superior as slugger and in
Science-A Combat Fit for the
Caesars.

In the gloomy recesses Of the primeval
forests still TO be found in Central Africa
there Is vast uneXplored field still stretch
ing forth its unmeasured space 20 the
hunter and the naturalist. w. =. Pond. a
great traveller. gives the following account
Of n duel he witnessed in Central Africa be-
tween gorilla and lion: NV guide beck
oned 10 me, and / saw within fifty feet of US
with his back against a tree, the sleep
ing form Of a huge gorilla. his hands hang,
ing down by his sides. his legs crooked in
front of him, and his head lstlessly lying
sblewise on his shoulder. Some distance
from him was tho female, apparently busily
engaged in gathering nuts, swinging from
tree 10 tree, now disappearing into the sur
rounding forest. but ever and anon return
ing 20 keep watch and ward over the sleep
ing FORD and master. Suddenly / heard "a
scream OF agony from the female. which
caused the sleeper 10 start TO its feet, and as
IL did so the female literally fell from tree
on the edge of the clearing down 10 the
ground. uttering the most piercing cries that
human Imagination can conceive.
Then terrific roar that shook the ground
broke upon the silence and told the history
of the female gorilla's fright. 1t was a lion.
and at the sound of his voice she again fled
into the tree. while the male uttered "A deep
savage. hoarse roar that was the answer To
the lions challenge. Immediately "A crash
ing sound was heard. and "a full-grown lion
bounded into the opening, a1l stood. his
on a cat. the personiilcation of brute strength
and courage.
AZ his eyes lighted on the gorilla his tail
began TO wave To and fro. Wider and wider
grew its sweep, until at last il struck its ribs
first one side and then the other with re-
sounding blows, while roar upon roar gave
token 10 his increasing rage and anger. The
gorilla placed his upper hand upon the
ground and bounded into the air fully six
feet. alighting on his four hands and
bounding up again and again. seemingly
for the purpose of cnraging the lion To the
greatest possible degree. He then rose 20 his
full height on his hinder hands uttering
tremendous roars and beating his breast
with his great fist. producing sounds like
those made by heavy blows upon bass
drum. Then he dropped upon all-fours
again, remaining perfectly motionless with
the exception OF his eyebrows. which worked
up and down with lightning speed. giving an
expression OF ferocity TO his face that is in
describable. Suddenly the lion uttered
another ear-splitting roar and bounded for
ward. A few short steps, a tremendous leap
two or three sharp. short growls. and both
gorilla having leaped high and straight as
the lion charged. In mid-air the lion turned
and struck. apparently vainly at the gorilla.
who as the lion fell on his side upon the
ground. alighted on him. struck him two ter
rifle blows and bounded away. with a sliding
run, 20 distance of several yards. j could
now see that the gorilla was severely
wounded on the head and side. and that the
lion had fearful cash in his side. for surely
his ribs could never have withstood those
two tremendous blows.
A. soon as he regained his feet he charged
at the gorilla again and again. but was
eludcd every time. IL being almost impossi-
bic to follow their rapid movements i'm the
half light of the clearing. At last the lion
paused. and as he did SO the ape dashed at