The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-17
ACROSS THE RAVISE.
A Spectacle In Which n Lion and an Indian
We're the Performers.

A Spectacle In Which n Iiou and an Indian
We're the Performers.
was prospecting to tho south OF Custors
! Peak. in the Black Hills. and at noon l sat
down with my back to n great bowlder to have
bite to eat. It was on tho edge of n deep.
dark ravne which had width Of POO feet
Tho opposite bank OF tho ravine was much the
highest. rising W from twenty Ave to thirty
feet high. and along its face was a trail that
perhaps had been made by dccr and goat pass
ing from their feeding grounds. Only about
fifty feet OF tho trail directly in front OF me was
clear Of brush and trees. l had my eyes on
this open space when an Indian stepped into
view from tho east. At that date every Indian
in that vicinity was hostile. This one was not
In war paint. hut knew he'd shoot on sight.
NV first feeling was that OF surprise. because
lie had not yet seen mo. noticed soon how
ever. that he had his head down and was APP
rarently trailing something. He had passed
almost out Of sight TO tho west when he drew
up his rifle quickly and fired
There was q shrill. savage scream. and as
the Indian retreated n tawny mountain lion
| came into view. Just opposite mo the Indian
| halted. while tho lion crept up to within twenty
| feet OF him and rested. l saw bloody streak
Oh the animals shoulder and as he turned
and licked ut it his srowls were menacnG.
The redskn had only a single barrelled rifle
| ana ne 1llaue no atI'lupt W Telodu NIilc mo
| lion turned his head the Indian laid down his
rifle and drew his knife. He was tall. stalwart
fellow. and he meant to fight for his life.
| Hist. Hist! Hist!'
I did 1t to attract his attention. and next in
slant he was looking into my eyes. He must
have been Il bit astonished. but he did not be-
tray the fact. His eyes blazed up. he scowled
in malignant way. and l knew that he was
cursing his luck 10 being in such fix.
Hist Hist! Hist!"
Ii was louder this time. so MS to reach the
S
u fash; and his eyes blazod and md, scln,illated
nn then to a
with only ono bullet for herrlie!", Icrllsd 70
around the camp fires.
He understood. was sure OF it; because he
to fash me such a look OF hate as only a ilcnd
Is capable OF. The lion was enragsd over his
ndany 1s ad ei SsfS to
crept forward few feet. growed dashed his
tail, and then reiterated a little.
shouted to the redskln. but will make
:, | rose ur and picked, up. q small stone and
him. When two dogs ar: standing growing
precilitate coma let Tie, lion icapod a dis;
TANGO Of five feet ahead. AID sunk down and
ErowlGd more Hereby than before. and lashcd
You see havo my rife here" called to
tho Indian asI lifted tho weapon up to view;
sL i Ho n * XII tho beast and savo you. but
He Locked down On me again. and his face
flesh Green in spots. What would no not have
given to have mo bound fast to the stake. with
led his for i've
read In them forty years OF intense hate for
All. You arc coward" ! shouted at the
lion as he turned his head and looked back up
the trail H. You have only sGunT In fr9nt OF
he,runs away to boast Of his bravery"
The beast switched his tqil In monacinG
spoke for tho first time. saying:
before the night comes i,, will roast your
An! Then you think tho lion Is coward
and dares not attack you, Let MS see. II |
hs iMS s18nS ne M knp 1ni
run i9rit. sauaws arc fleet Of foot. are they
" Iheld tho missile in my hand while talking
to.him. both Indian and beast were looking
straight at me MS threw it. 1t struck the lion
shs tic iss sns SH f ala T%'
to me to be over three foe feet Wide: The Indian i'm
saw his knife flash rs he kent stalbinC. lIe
did not shout. and the lion uttered no other
The fight so smed 10 last ten minutes. but
doubt i II lasted oyer three On On fair GROUND
Sround the Beast might have finished TIC in,
fs tWo S9Ips OF mmuf h OF
over the brinE, III" indians Gniie WAS buried
hf ~ hit !. the lions fodE while the hTnt,
stood looking over tho !" brink d that dari
dull crash "ame up through the aioom whiei
had hung there for ages to toll that they were
. lying dead down there on the rocky bottom.