Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-02-02
hitting her full In the face.


fully believed that the old lioness
would keep on and compel inc to give
up the other young ono also, aud was
astonished to see her seize this one In
her mouth end make of Us fast rs pos.
siblo toward her lair.
This was very pleasing, but | was
perfectly certain that tho old lioness
would como back after the remaining
one. And unless I could get home,
which was not probable, or should
meet some one who had a gun, which
was not probable, either, she would
get II away from me.
shouted louder still at old Bob, and
almost stood up In the saddle in my ex.
element; but the poor old horse was
already going about a. fast rs no
could no lie seemed to appreciate the
emergency, but he was getting badly
wind d.
We went on about thrce-quarters OF
mile more, II occurred to me that I
might keep the kitten from continually
announcing our whereabouts TO It's
mother, so propped its mouth wide
open with my fingers, and this stopped
Its crying
We were making pretty good time,
and was beginning to feel little re-
assured, when heard the leaves crack
ling behind me. ! knew what was
com ng and dill not lool, around ! kent
on, determined to hold the kitten at all
hazards.
Very soon, however. heard the old
lioncss much closer than I had expect.
cd, and turned around Just ut tho mo.
mert that my horse made n violent
plunge forward. The lioncss had dug
her forcfcct into the horses thighs, pre-.
paratory TO lea ping upon his back
With terrified scream flung the
kitten away " It'll all my might The
lioncss released her hold on the horse,
and, taking tins kitten in her mouth Us
she had taken tho other, uttered a
| growl. and, with savage glare at me,
disappeared In the thick under brush.
Trembling with friyht and cholSed
with Indignation TO think tina after all
| my efforts could not keep even one Of
the pretty little creatures, I continued
I my ride homo,
reached tho gate soon. and In n few
] moments related my adventure ut the
suppor-table. Before had finished
Charley burst into the room, holding
nloft n young lionl
My heart bounded. lie had captured
my lSit,cnl In great excitement he he q.
ran to tell his story. lie was Just re.
turning 70 tho trail from his hunt in
the woods, when lac met face to face
the mountain lioness bearing her young
one In her mouth. Both were very
much sturtled, lioness and boy; but
Charley recovered his presence Of mind
first, and, raising his gun, fred, killing
the shc-lion instantly.
lie then picked up the little one, and
also succeeded In dragging the mother
u short distance. lie left her Just ut
the edge Of the woods and ran home
with the living cub to get help
Charley magnuninously gave mo tho
baby. OF course ! was little crest.
fallen, feeling chat had lost my share
Of the glory, but was commended and
complimcnted, after all
kept the little lion three ycara. We
fell him ON brcnd and milk, and ns he
grew he showed Dogigns Of his wild ma.
turc lie played nmicably with the dog
aud was ON good terms with all the
family.
One day, however, | unfastened his
chain to rive him exercise, aud one of
the first things no did VIVA to kill a
chlclon II wns hls first taste OF
blood, After that lac committed some
depreciation whencyc' lie was let loose.
lie grew Sullen and morDsr.
Al last he bit little girl who came
to visit us, drawing blood, which Ia
Tapped eagerly hhc was clone with
him, and when we hoard her cry and
ran out wo found that tho cub had
thrown the child down and was rost-
Ing his paws on her body.
lie wa, killed at once. I felt n few
severe paugs Mt his death, but wo saved
his skin Charley had aircndy t.uncd
the skin Of iho mother. We had tho
cuba bltin treated In the same way.
aud now, when my mother tells the
story Of our youthful experience. "a
she often does, she points proudly TO
the two beautiful rnhes--thc spells Of
her chldron's lion hunt Beatrice L.
doses, In Youths Companion.