The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-12-24

one in his native state. With all my
nervousness 1 was fascinated.
What should we do? Rouse the people
or hazard a shot? We were discussing
these questions when the door suddenly
opened and a figure appeared on the
threshold. 1t was woman. What
could it mean? The lions saw her and
one crouched Tor a spring. She raised
rifle, and taking steady aim, fired.
s'Bravo,' - cried Sam eXcitedly, as one
of the beasts was stretched on the ground,
his huge feet clawing wildly at the air,
his snarls and growls fearful to hear.
We jumped to our feet and ran forward.
The woman turned quickly TO re-enter
the house as the remaining brute hurled
himself toward her with terrible, men
acing cry. We fred as he sprang.
''Oh, Sam, y l cried, ''she has slipped,
she has fallen; God have mercy, he's al
most on heri''
Another voiley from our repeaters and
we had his entire attention. He stopped
and glared at US. We were only twenty
feet distant, with Sam somewhat ahead,
who dropped on one knee and fired again.
The lion gathered himself for q spring.
Our aim must be perfectly dreadful.
gave him another shot as he launched
himself full at Sam, who went down
underneath his weight. No more
nervousness now. My blood was up.
1 grasped long, ugly knife I'd borrowed,
never expecting to need it. I'd never
used one before in my life, but that
thought never struck me. Sans life
was at stake. l threw myself on the
beast and instinctiyely grabbed for his
throat. / jabbed him again and again
with all my strength, lodging his feeble
blows. Our bullets were taking effect.
He made a last gasping effort to fasten his
teeth in my arm, and collapsed, rolling
/ down to the edge of the creek
had received but a few trifiing wounds
though my clothes were torn and / was
/ covered with blood. Sam was insensible
and the blood flowed from cash in his
neck. The woman was unhurt, and
coming hurriedly forward, we carried
bed, we almost tore his clothes off. There
was only the one wound visible. l
breathed easier, as we bandaged this and
started the work of restoration.
'Sam, dear Sam, - | said as he showed
signs of returning consciousness. He
turned his head slightly. ''Dear old
pard, - I continued, ''tell me you ain t
much hurt" He opened his eyes and l
gave him some brandy. Raising himself
on one arm, he put his hand up to his
wounded neck.
81 think he's only weak from loss OF
blood, y quietly remarked the woman.
He called me to him; leaned over his
bedside.
'.Did you kill him?'' he asked finally.
''As dead as a door nail" | replied,
smiling in spite of my anxiety, as his true
sportsman's nature asserted itself first of
all. but you helped - l added. He
i CROPPED for my hand and pressed it feebly.
/ gave him another swallow of brandy
and told him ty go TO sleep. Mrs. Curtis
dor it was the ranch) explained that her
husband and son had not yet returned
from a trip after wood. She was alone
with their other child, a little girl of
four, whom she brought in. | picked
her up and Rugged her closely to mo.
'tDear little one, - l thought, ''what if
father and brother had returned and
found but bloodstains to tell the terrible
tale .
We were still talking when we heard
voices. The woman ran TO the door.
They were home. The ranchman was pale
as death. They had heard both the lions
and the shooting when far up the noun
tain. Imagine his feelings. He caught
up wife and child, looked at Sam,
stretched on the bed, with his bandaged
neck, then at me. covered with blood
and without saying word came over,
grasped my hand, and rung it till
WINGED.
Next morning Curtis volunteered to take
us where the deer were plenty. | looked
O. dt Odul-WS UOlIl ndN Vic SetIlO bllOu8uC.
TELL you what, Mr.. Curtis, - he said,
screwing his wounded neck around, so
he could look squarely at him, ''I've had
about ali the fun l want this trip l
think I'll rest on my honors. If you
havn any bigger game than mountain
lions up here, l guess I'll light out for
home" Amen said I; and home
we went, taking along one of the skins as
a trophy OF our nights adventure.
"ePoRTHUs.