San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-06-28

that the lion had looseued his hold, uttering,
as he did so; a roar that made every hair
stand on end.
The next thing l heard was the piteous
whine of dog, and realized what had hap
pened. The lion, leaping along in his mad
fury, had struck the light covering of the pit,
and lion, man and dog had all gone down into
the trap with a crash.
1t was fearful situation truly, and | can
only account for the beasts not instantly
tearing me to pieces by supposing that he was
utterly dazed by his fall, and could not under
stand what had happened. At all events he
seemed TO forget me, and began to roar and
to tear the sides of the pit with his huge
claws in frantic efforts to get out.
Meanwhile | crept under some of the
branches that had fallen in with us, and
prayed earnestly thatmy life might be spared.
Presently there was loud roar from the
thicket above, apparently in response to the
cries of the lion, and lioness, no doubt his
mate, glared down at US from the edge of the
pit.
The two brutes kept up continuous roar
ing and growing for long time, the one in
the pit striving all the while in vain to get
out, and the other encouraging him.
While this was going on a small body tum-
bled down into the pit, striking the bottom
with heavy force, uttering a sharp cry, which
showed that it was Some kind of an animal,
and, after this, the ioness roared more saw
agely than ever.
My feelings during this trying period no
words can portray. My heart quaked with
fear; my mind was stupefied with dread, and
seemed to die dozen deaths. | SILVER even
7 a. H., 80 !, .;rrl%
All at once my heart leaped with joy as the
sharp crack of rifle was heard, instantly
followed by a second report.
Then a great hubbub ensued, and loud
voices were heard, which recognized to be
those of old Hecklinger, the skipper, and the
natives.
Unable to restrain myself, leaped to my
feet and began to shout at the top of my
lungs for help.
My cries were answered by the tramp lg
of feet, and there was a great blaze of
torches, which threw lurid glare down into
the pit, lighting it up distinctly.
Then l heard old Hecklingers voice crying
out:
Hes down there with the lion. This way,
men. Quick, quick!"
But now new horror confronted me, for
the old lion seemed all at once to become
furiously enraged He glared at me as if /
was the cause of all his troubles, dashed his
sides with his tail and seemed about to leap
upon me and rend me to pieces.
Should | be killed, after all, just as relief
had comet
The great beast was about to spring, when
a happy thought came to me. Quick as a
fash seized the trembling cur that lay
whining at my feet and hurled him straight
at the lions head. The next instant the
brute's strong, red jaws were crushing the
dogs carcass between them.
There was brighter glare of the torches,
and then came the roar of a rife, as old
HecElinger, having got a good aim, sent
bullet crashing through the lions brain, the
huge beast rolling over with death gasp or
two that were real music to my ears.
| was indeed forlorn looking object when
they dragged me out of the pit, begrimed
with dirt and pale from excitement; but
was able to pull myself together again in a
little while.
My shoulder, though somewhat bruised by
the lions jaws, was not seriously hurt, and
in few days was all right again.
The roaring of the beasts had brought my
friends to the rescue, though old Hecklinger
sdIu lie udu lOI expected 10 unu me awe.
We got two fine lions skins, and made
discovery while pulling the dead beast out of
the pit that delighted me.
The small animal that had tumbled into
the pit proved to be fine young whelp of
the lioness, and you may be sure claimed
him as my own.
The little rascal showed fight in mild
way, but the natives soon captured him, and
cared for him till we got.back to the settle
ment, where had a nice cage made for him.
On the voyage home he grew finely, and
became great favorite on shipboard, finally
netting me handsome sum when l sold him
to a Snowman, year later; but l am free to
confess that the showman's whole menagerie
would not induce me to repeat that awful
nights experience in the pit in South Africa
Capt. l. c. Carleton in Golden Days.
To Dispel Colds.
Headaches and Feyers TO cleanse