Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-09-25

preaching me. He was Il well-built.
powerful Hooking man, about 10 years
of age; his face was intellectual and
extremely handsome; he wore a full
beard and moustache. both OF which
were iron gray. He was coarsely clad
and carried no weapon. The latter
circumstance was the most remarkable
thing of all, for in those days in Ari-
IONA one scarcely moved without his
arms
Nearing me, he asked, in pleas
ant, quiet manner, if was the COM
manding officer.
/ replied that | was.
Il came to see if you would lend we
pistol or carbine for "a few days,
ne said.
You don't mean TO tell me that you
are entirely without arms?" / said,
not unreasonably astonishcd
Yes; have nothing of the kind"
he answered. Il have been annoyed
for the past three months by those in
fernal California lions, and if had a
shooting iron | might kill some of
them.
Are you camping near here?" l
asked.
Il live Just around the bend Of the
river; will you walk down with me?"
Greatly astonished. | asked if he
lived there quite alone.
"Oh, no." he replied" my wife and
mother live with me. "
Little dreaming ! was so near resi-
dence, | eagerly accepted his invita-
ton. and filling my pipe and leaving the
sergeant in charge OF camp, | started
forth with my new acquaintance. As
we made the turn in the river | saw a
large shelving rock rising from the
level prairie. 1t was not more than
100 yards from the rivers bank. and
was really quite imposing in its dimen-
sions.
| learned that they had been living
there for three months. They came
with the intention of farming, and later
erecting a suitable dwelling.
The Indians did not modest them, but
they were worried by the lions, which
came by twos and threes nightly to the
opening of their habitation, and there
howled till daylight when they re-
turned TO the mountain.
They told me it was necessary for
one of them to be up all night to keep
the fire burning. which was their only
protection from these monsters.
Consequently they had taken turns
sitting up nights for the last three
months.
IL tell you what willdo, " said. Il
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. He is good shot and will enjoy
the sport
My proposition was joyfully ac-
cepted, and | returned TO camp to give
the necessary directions. About an
hour later the company moved out,
and Curley and | went 20 the rock
house.
The California lion may have a
legitimate name, but this is the only
one have ever heard applied TO him.
He belongs to the panther and wildcat
families, being, | believe, a cross be-
tween the two.
They gave us coffee, bread and fried
bacon for supper, and our host sur
prised and delighted us by producing
from his trunk some cigars. Not "a
lamp nor a candle of any description
did they have. When darkness came
they went 20 bed or on watch, as the
case might be.
We told them all to retire whenever
they felt disposed, and they wanted
not second bidding. We saw that
our rifles were in good order and that
our ammunition was handy. Then we
permitted the fire TO die out.
Not long did we wait.
Here came large lion. walking
proudly along, scarcely thirty yards
from u.s.
do not fire" said Curlcy. wait
until we get more of them.
A few minutes later four large lions
were in our immediate front. The
man had certainly told the truth thus
far, whatever his intention "a To farm
ing might be.
You take the one on the left and
I'll take the ore on the right, said
Curley. Are you ready"
The report of our rifles and the
screams OF the startled sleepers were
almost simultaneous; the three were
sleeping soundly. and the shots natur-
ally startled them. ] threw another
cartridge into my rifle and fired at an
escaping lion. but | doubt if | injured
him. We rebuilt the fire and dragged
two fine specimens Of the brutes where
its light would allow us to inspect
them. | had shot one through the
heart and Curley had sent II bullet
through the brain of the other
81 think we had better leave them
outside" said Curley. The others
will scent the blood and come bacG.