The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-06-26

moved night after night by wild beasts,
and company Of cavalry unable to give
them protection seemed Incredible, yet,
such was the case. E ~
At'length happy thought struck me.
~ tell you what will do" said. 81
will send the company in charge OF the
Sergeant about FIVE miles further down
the river to encamp; then will bring
Curley with me, and we will stay here
tonight with you. Curley is an old
frontiersman, and is acting guide for me;
sport.
My proposal was joyfully accepted,
and returned to camp to give the nee
essary directions. About an hour later
the company moved out ami Curiey and
were alone.
"What sort of an outfit is that down
theref" said my companion, pointing to
the stone mansion / had recently left.
az cannot tell you," answered. "The
people say they are worried by the lions,
and have told them you and will stay
with them tonight and sample few"
''Some escaped jailbird, suppose, +"
said Curley. "The country's full OF
them"
eyes," answered, "the country is
full Of them, but am sure this man is
no criminal. His manner and his ap-
pearance, barring his clothes, are those
of gentleman, and his wife seems more
than ordinarily refined"
"Well," said Curley, "if they will
trot out the lions we don't care what
they are"
With thatwe started toward the rock
The California lion may have q legfti-
mate name, but this is the only one have
ever heard applied to him. He belongs
to the panther aud wildcat families, be-
ing, believe, cross between the two.
They ;gdve us coffee, bread and fried
bacon for Supper, and our host surprised
and delighted us by producing from his
trunk some cigars. Not lamp nor q
candle of any description did they shave.
When darkness came on they went to
bed or on watch, as the case might be.
We told them all to retire whenever
they felt disposed, aud they wanted not
second bidding; We saw that oul
rifles were in good order and that oul
ammunition was handy; then we per.
mitted the fire to die out.
Not long did we wait; we had not
been on guard more than half Ga-. houf
when Curley whispered to me-, :. ."Did
you see that thing sneaking up here9"
Ihad already seen it, but it was only
I a coyote, SO said: .'Is is nothing but Z
! coyote. We must not shoot; 1t will
; frighten the lions"
~ believe you are right" said Curley
"But how about this Senator that is ap
proaching?"
Sure enough, here came a large lion
walking proudly along, scarcely %thirt
yards from us.
"Do not fire." said Curley. "Wai
until we get more Of them
A few minutes Eater four large lion
were in our immediate front. The ma
had certainly told the truth thus far
whatever his intention as to farmin,
i might be. a. Is. 80
"You take the one on the left and II
take the one on the right" said Curley
care you ready7" "a
Ready" I replied,
| "Fire!" 81. . 4. =.
The report of our rifles and the scream
of the startled sleepers were almos
\ -,tien,,..r->nfsryylSn = ,eAe.s,a
INV rifle and tires ~ an oasan;SS Sssi i;as ins
but doubt if T injured him. We r,
built the fire and dragged two fine spec
allow no to ;ns,ss.. M, :. So "ou'' '
through the heart and C,,rlv had sent.' IT.
bullet through tbe. hra;nn:tof tbe otbor :,
| "I think we had :;hefter Ies w" thar
| scent tbe blO0dSand conn. baek.D