The morning call., 1893-12-02
A MASHONALAND HERO.
He fias Some Startling Experiences
i'm That Country.


Soon after the British South Africa Chartered
Company's band of pioneers had occupied the
country of The MashOnas sundry parties of
prospectOrs, intending settlers and others were
following In their wake. Among them was an
ola Dutchman who had sold of his possessions
In the Cape Colony and, accompanied by a
grandson, was thus early 10 the front In looking
after the advantages offered by the company.
Arrived safely at Fort Salisbury, he had out
spanned his oxen close TO goud feeding and
water, neither of which advantages obtained
near the township Itself. Unfortunately lung
sickness had set in among his oxen, aud for the
safety OF the majority he had drafted the actual
sufferers and was grazing them on an isolated
patch OF grass not far from his wagons.
One evening his herd reported TO him that
brought into kraal. The next morning the herd,
up belimes. sought the sick OK ana found 1t
dead. he discovered also that some large
beast OF prey had made meal of il. Oh he
hied back 10 his master and announced that a
lion had killed and partly eaten the OK. South
African Dutchmen are not prone TO believe in
everything they hear, so our trekker. in this
Instance, O0h-p0ohed the notion OF a lion VEN
turing so near the camp. His young grandson,
aged 10 years. had mind infamed by the
wonderful lon.kills he had heard Of on his way
uD and finally persuaded the old man 10 go
aud see." Catching uD his rifle. and handing
his cartridge belt TO the boy, of he started.
True enough the carcass Of The OK had been
partly eaten.
Dutchmau-like he at once looked for spoor.
but the ground was too dry and hard to re-
ceive impressions. He then made cast
around. batting through several patches OF
long grass, but without success. At little
distance TO the right OF The dead OK stood one
of those largo anthills that are the subject Of
wondering interest TO nearly every one who
sees them for the first time. said the boy,
"Grand'tber. the schellum might be behind that
anthill." Leisurely The old man diIec ed his
steps toward the spot, where he, after inspect
up his quest. Look into that bunch Of lam
Doodle grass" suggested the boy. Turning to
do 50 he was met in full onset by a splendid
lioness. Her spring landed her upon the oid
mans left shoulder. her weight carrying him to
the ground, where she lay with her teeth set
with bis rife thwartwise under his body.
Listen, We English lads whose souls are fraugnt
with histories OF derring.dO.
The boy, seeing the old mans plight, did not
run away or set 10 numbering. Not he. Down
he went on his stomach ana crawled near
drew away, and then, looking to see IL the car
fridge was ali right he took the best aim he
could al the liOness. His shot took effect
through the lons of the beast. whose hair rose,
and whose snarling somewhat unDerved the
lad. He drew a few feet further back, when
and carefully reloading took a second shot with
perfect success. Shot through the heart the
animal rolled over on her side, and after
tremor or two was stilled IN death.
BY Thu, time several natives from the wagon,
hearing the shots, came running up. They made
a primitive kind OF ambulance, on which they
removed the wounded man to his wagon. A
doctor was sent for and the patient removed TO
the temporary hospital
The writer OF this article was fever patient
at the time and can vouch for the truth OF this
act Of gallantry on the part OF the 1o-year-old