The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-23
JEALOUS LIONS
combat Between Males, Which the Fe-
males Witnessed With Satisfaction.

combat Between Males, Which the Fe-
males Witnessed With Satisfaction.
From the Philadelphia Press.
1t was the good fortune of Maccovoy and
myself to witness conflict between Jealous
lions. And if it but serves to show the
treacherous nature of the lioneSs in contrast
with the splendid chivalry of the male, it is
worth relating,
We were accompanied in this instance by
my native servant, Isilia, and took up our
quarters in a light scaffolding in the
branches of tall tree that overhune a
waterproof much frequented by the animals
in that vicinity
The moon rose gradually, and we had a
grand opportunity OF studying perfect 81
lence. Nothing can be more deeply silent
IMAM a still night In the desert. AS there is
but little vegetation on these vast reaches of
SAND, there Is no insect life, if weexcept the
nolseless but active sand flea, and for several
hours after the moon rose it was absolutely
silent. We did not speak. There was no
wind. 1t seemed as if thera was no living
thing IN the wide spread of country about us
was beginning to feel sleepy and to nod
frequently, when the roar OF hon close at
hand broke the silence. Instantly we were
wide awake and grasping our guns ner-
vously. In another instant the roar was
answered from a spot below US, and, look
ing down, we saw a Goness crouching at the
foot of tree. Her head was embedded be-
tween her fore paws, and her long tail
waved luxuriously to and fro. Another
"Woof" from the opposite direction, and
two magnificent males stepped into view
while the ioness continued to purr and
wave that graceful tail from side to side.
And there she lay, purring gently, while
as terrific a conflict ensued as the eve OF
man ever witnessed, and words cannot paint
the picture nor describe that combat. Over
and over the two males rolled after meeting
In mid-leap with their fangs at each others
Threats, while the sickening sound Of
champing bones filed the air. mingled with
their frantic roaring and the thrashinR of
their bodies through the whirling sand.
by this time my nerves were so wrought
up that could stand the the terrific Spec
tacle no longer, and, taking deliberate aim
at the ioness behind her shoulder blade I
let fly. Above the rumble of my smooth
bore sounded the shrek of the lioness as
the heavy ball crashed into her vitals. The
two dueliSts at once ceased their encounter.
and as one of them turned he received
Macs rife ball in the hollow over the eve
and death was instantaneous.
The other male, with a mighty roar and
powerful spring, landed halfway up the
trunk of our tree. nearly shaking us from
our perch; but Osilla discharged a spare
gun in his face, he fell back and, probably
only grazed by the shot, disappeared into
the darkness toward where the means and
cries of the lioness grew fainter and fainter
every momen5.
In the morning, with a party Of Arab
heaters and dogs, we took up the spoor and
tracked the lioness to her lair, and. after she
had received eleven more of our bullets.
killed and disabled four of our dogs and
made five determined rushes, succeeded III
making her bite the dust. She had Travelled
nine miles before we caught up to her, and
kepta brave front to the last, redeeming
herself in degree in our eyes from the stain
of her cruel behavior of the previous
night.