Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-04-23
IN THE DARK,
AFEARFUL FRIGHT.

We were just getting ready for dinner
when a Mexican ran excitedly into camp
and announced with trembling lips tina
old Diavolo, the man-eating lion, was or
the rampage again. He had killed sheer
herder only last night, and the Mexican as
sured us that he had struck our trail, an6
might descend on the camp at any mo
ment.
Our party consisted of Ben Sutro. griz
kled forty-niner; Lieutenant Mason, a young
West Pointer; Pedro, the cook; and Bot
Mason and myself, two newspaper mon
writing up the West.
The Mexican's story had excited the par
ty so much that they could hardly finish
their meal, and old Sutro was in favor O
going in search Of the lion and kill him be
fore he had chance to try the same gam'
on us.
Having ridden sixty miles that day an6
feeling rheumatic, did not ask to join the
party, but offered to keep house while they
were away.
1t was in early fall, yet the night air wal
chilly; so heaped more fuel upon the fire
and set the coffee pot where it would keeE
hot until the return of the hunters for
knew they would relish draught of the
cheering beverage alter their tramp.
rolled myself in my blankets, and lay dowr
with my feet to the fire.
The stars were shining brightly, and
lay for a long time gazing at the tiny worlds
above me, and listening to the croaking o.
the frogs. did not intend to go to sleep
but gradually my senses left me, and wal
In the land of dreams.
I had slept some time-when I wal
awakened by sharp pain IN my left arm
and at the same was aware that was be
ing turned over.
My natural impulse was to yell an6
sprig to my feet, bnt something restrained
me. -ad moved 1 should not be here tc
tell this tale. l Immediately got posses
sion of my faculties, and although wrapped
head and ears in my blankets, distinctly
heard purring sound, as though great
cat was standing over me. The memory Of
Jose's encounter with the lion flashed up
on me.
The next instant all doubt was removed
for the sharp claws again pierced my side
and I was rolled over like log. dare no,
CRY out for help, for knew that the slight.
est movement, the least sign Of life, would
be instant death. Oh, what agony suf
fered in those brief moments.
Precipitation started from every pore liz
my DOuJs MY uodIb SbOuu stilis 1 Wde
frozen with horror. Each instant expect
throat. The muzzle of the brute pressed
me as he snufed at the blanket. 1t seemed
as if whole hours were being consumed.
What was to do? If my comrades did
not return the lion was sure to tire of toy
ing with the inanimate roll of blankets, and
tear them into shreds. Already my side was
frightfully mangled by the sharp claws, and
I suffered dreadfully.
Ones senses are sharpened by peril.
revolved dozen schemes in my head while
l lay upon my face, scarcely daring tc
breathe.
Suddenly desperate ruse suggested it.
self The pond, deep and black, lay but q
few feet from the fire, which now must be
dead, or the lion would never have ap
preached. The bank shelved to the waters
edge. 1t was iife-or-death risk, but de
termined to attempt to roll into the water
Once in the deep water of the lake knew
I should be safe, for all the cat tribe are
afraid of wetting their feet.
But how to escape these terrible claws
At the first movement the lion would be
upon me with bound.
Ha! bad my revolver in its holster al
my side, and my hand was near it,
Slowly, with an imperceptibe motion,
slipped my hand around until grasped the
hilt. I dared not draw the weapon. II
was self cooking revolver, and l knew
that if could FIRE it the report would 80
startle the beast that might roll into the
lake before he recovered from his panic
Al any rate,I would make the attempt.
My finger was upon the trigger, and /
felt it yield just as the pondroHs paw again
landed upon my side directly over the hol-
ster.
There was not an instant to lose. With
q Jerk threw the muzzle of the weapon,
still in the holster, as nearly as could in a
line with where judged the beasts body
to be, and pulled.
There was sharp report, and q terrific
scream, that froze the marrow in my
bones, but retained sufficient sense to roll
over and over, and fall plump into the
lake.
sank down, and down, like an animated
crowbar. The water was like ice, and
was confronted by new peril;f the blan-
kets were wrapped so tightly around me
that l could not free myself readily.
But struggled desperately, and sue
ceeded in lowering my arms. AS 1 came
gasping to the surface l heard two gun.
shots in quick succession, and several
shouts
knew that my comrades had returned,
and had just strength enough to paddle to
the shore and drag myself out upon the
bank.
When regained consciousness was ly-
ing upon couch of blankets, surrounded
by the boys, and the colonel was holding a
flask to my lips.
eTt's ali right, old man." said Sutro.
s'You had pretty close call, all along of
that internal Pedro. We missed the lion
and he got between us and the camp on the
trail.
"We heard the shot as we were return
80 minute aftsrward something came
"a trailllike all get out. l
inof slugs, and it fell
vas old Diavolo,
est lion I e-er
9sasnre ten fest
r q re hun'ired
I'D gratefully, and