The morning call., 1891-08-12


must slide from off the saddle. In flash
the lion was upon the creature. leaping up
ward at its throat at the very moment that
the soldier, like st. George Staying the
dragon, plunged his lance with all his might
into mt the quivering yellow body OF the beast.
moment after the trio of man, horse and
lion rolled over into the dust with dull,
dead thud. Captain Angus yaulted clean
out Of his saddle, and in an instant gained
the side of the struggling group. The
lion was doubtlessly badly wounded:
the horse cruelty with Its claws. and the
soldier. who lay pinned to the ground by the
weight of the animals carcass, was in dam
ger of being mutilated by the ferocious
brute. The pole Of the lance stuck out from
its side. buried high as its pennon in the
companion seized iris, and withdrew it, the
lion giving prodigious howl of pain as he
did SO. Then stepping back few PAGES
and gripping the spear with both hands, the
captain poised il for an instant, and rushed
full tilt at the PROSTATE creature, plunging
the gore-stained head of the lance into the
body with such force that looked to see
the barbed point appear on the other side.
The lion spranE into the air, doubling itself
nearly up in the rigor that ran through its
frame, then fell with flop upon the sand,
tumbling over on its side with the lance
sticking straight up into the air, as though
it pinned it to the earth. A few silent strug-
giles convulsed IT'S form, and then it stlffened
out, with its jaws distended, its eyes lolling
out, its tail rigid as Spike-dead as nail
l dismounted aud fastened to assist
Angus in raising the fallen soldier. Badly
lacerated as the horse was by the terrible
claws of the lion, it yet made shift to stag
ger to its feet when we laid hold of its
bride and encouraged 1t to rise. The man
was confused and stunned by his fall, and
40 atfpF 70 han nd
him. However, after a few moments he sat
up, supporting himself on his elbows, and
looking with beWildeTed air at the dead
lion. Then when, by our aid, he got upon
his feet, he found that lie could stand,
though his knees trembled like those of
man in fit. His helmet had been crushed
and his tunic split, while his nose seemed
to be bleeding a little, but beyond the con-
fusion of his fall he had sustained no other
apparent injury.
How do you feel?" asked my companion.
Any bones broken?"
The man in @ daZed manner said he did
not know.
Here, sit down for a little while upon
this mound. You will feel better directly.
1t is your horse which has suffered most
The soldier seated himself upon little
sand-bank, while Angus and l proceeded to
view the dead lion. 1t was huge, m assive
creature, aud scarcely measured less than
eight feet from the tip of its snout to the
beginning of its tail. Its distended jaws
disclosed double row of great cleaning
grinders, while its claws thrust out be-
tween its velyety feet, were as keen and
nearly as long as the blade of dagger.
"a formidable beast" said |, medita-
lively, walking slowly around it.
"Ay," replied my friend; I'VE have need
to feel grateful to the Lancer But for him
brute. Yet it must have been very badly
put to it to chase a couple of men on horse
back. l should never have believed it,"
In little while the soldier rose to his
feet again, and then told US that he felt
sufficiently recovered TO return to camp,
which, by short cut across the valley, was
about mile and half away. His horse,
however, was in 10 fit condition to carry
him, but seeing that he now stood tolerably
firm on his feet, we made no doubt that he
was capable of walking the distance. He
withdrew his lance from TIA bndy of the
lion, and fitting it into the heel-socket upon
his boot, slipped tue sling of it over his
arm; then taking the bride of the horse in
his hand, IN this manner he and the animal
moved slowly off.
We fingered awhile watching him, till
perfectly satisfied that he would do very
well, then again mounted our horses and set
forward at a brisk trot. The drums and
flies were just shrilling and rafting out the
retreat tattoo as We entered the camp, so
that by the time we had gained our quarters
anu sun Gu Jul attilo liio leSo puSIo WAS
ringing its souOrous notes upon the quiet
air. And when Captain Angus and | took
oar seats at table that night we had such
yarn to tell as robbed every other topic of
lis interest aud made our narrow escape the
One absorbing subject of conversation.
The lion was stuffed and is stil among the
most conspicuous objects Of furniture in the
mess-Toom of the - Regiment. A week
later the divisional orders contained the
announcement that Lance Corporal Watson
of tbs - Lancers would be promoted to
the rank of Corporal for gallantry in as
sisting two officers who were pursued by a
hOn."