Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1891-12-05

spear with both hands. the captain
poised it for AN instant, and rushed
full tilt at the PROSTATE creature,
p!unglng the gore-stained head o! The
lance into the body with such f3rce
that Hooked to see the barbed point
appear on the other side. The lion
sprang int the air, doublingi itself near
ly up IN the rigor that ran through its
frame, then fell with "A flop upon the
sand, tumbling owe on its side with the
lance sticking straight up into the air,
as though it pinned it to the earth. A
few silent struggles conyulsed itsform,
and then it stiffened out, with its Jaws
~distended, it's eyes lolling out, its tail
rigid as "A spike-dead at a nail
/ dismounted and hastened to as
slst Angus IN raising the fallen soldier.
Badly lacerated as the horse was by
the terrible claws OF the lion, it yet
made shift TO stagger TO its feet when
we laid hold of its bride and encour-
aged it to rise. Theman was confused
and stunned by his iall, and made no
effort to move when we accosted him.
However, after n few moments he sat
up, supporting himself on his elbows,
and looking with u bewildered air at
the dead lion. Then when, by our aid,
he got upon his feet, lie found that he
could stand, though his knees tram-
bied like those Of a man in a fit. His
helmet had been crushed and his tun-
ic 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 com
p%anion. ANY bones broken?"
The man in IA dazed manner said he
did not know.
Here sit down for a while on this
mound. You will feel better directly.
II is your horse which has suffered
most.
The soldier seated himself D o a
little sand-bank, while Angus and ]
proceeded to view the dead lion. He
was a huge, massive creature, and
scarcely measured less than eight feet
from the tip Of it's snout TO the begin.
ming OF its tail. Its distended Jaws
disclosed a double row OF great CLEAN.
ing grinders, while its claws, thrust
out between its y~elvety feet, were as
keen and nearly as long as the blade
Of a dagger.
IA formidable beast, said !, medi,
tatively. walking slowly around it.
LAY" replied my friend; I'VE have
need TO feel grateful to the Lancer,
But for him we should have been run
10 earth by the brute. Yet it must
have been very badly put to it to
chase a couple OF men on horseback
! should never have believed IT,"
In 4 little while the soldier rose to
his feet again. and then told us that
he felt sufficiently recovered to return
to camp. which by n short cut across
the valley, was about a mile and a
half away. His horse, however, was
IN no 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. We withdrew his lance from
the body Of the lion, and fitting it in
to the heel-socket upon his boot, slip
ped the slingof il over his arm; ther
taking the bride ofthe horse in his
hand, in thismanuer he and the ami
NAL moved slowly of.
We fingered awhile watchinghi him, TIL
perfectly satisfied that he would dc
very well, then again mounted oul
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, SC
that by the time we had gained oul
quarters and shifted our attire tn,
mess hugle was ringing its sonorous
tones upon the quiet air. And wher
Captain Angus and took our seats
at table that night we had such q
yarn to tell as robbed every Other
topic Of its interest and made our mar
row escape the one absorbing subject
| OF conversation.
The lion was stuffed and is still
among the most conspicuous objects
OF furniture in the mess-room of the
- Regiment. Aweek later the divis
ional orders contained the announce
ment that Lance Corporal Watson o
the - Lancers would be promoted
to the rank OF Corporal "forgallantry
in assisting two officers who were pur
sued by a lion"