The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1894-02-10
MASHONALAND HERO.
Eie Has Some Startling Experiences In
the Country of the Iashonas.

/ INC SohALl5 vi the MaSnOnaSs
Soon after the British South Africa
chartered company band of pioneers
b ad occupied the country of the
Mashonas sundry parties of prospect
ors. Intending settlers aud others.
were following in their wake. Among
them was an old Dutchman who had
sold off his possessions in the Cape
ColOny,E and, accompanied o by a
grandson, was thus early to the front
in loOking9 after the ADVANTAGES Of
cred by the company. Arrived safely
at Fort Salisbury, he had Outspanned
his oxen close TO good feeding and
water, neither of which advantages
obtained near the township itself.
Unfortunately lung sickness had set
in among his oxen, and for the safety
Of the majority he had drafted the
sufferers. and was grazing them on
an isolated patch of grass not far
from his wagons.
One evening his herder reported to
him that one of the sick oxen was
too far gone to be brought into the
kraaLo The next morning, the herder.
up t>timcs, sought the sick OK and
found it dead, He discovered also
that some large beast of prey had
made meal of it. Of he hied back
to his master and announced that
lion had killed and partly eaten the
OK. South African Dutchmen are
not prone to believe everything they
hear, so our trekker. in this instance,
pooh-pOOhed the notion that a lion
had ventmed so near the camp. His
young grandson aged 10 years, had
mind infamed by the wonderful lion
kills he had heard of on his way up,
and finally persuaded the old man to
go and see. Catching up his rife
and handing his cartridge belt to the
boy off he started: True enough, the
carcass of the OK had been partly
eaten.
Dutchman-Iike, lie at once looked
for spoor, but the ground was too dry
and hard to receive impressions. He
then made a cast around, beating
through several patches Of long
grass, but without success. At a
little distance to the right of the
dead OK stood one Of those large ant
hills that are the subject of wonder
ing Interest to nearl every one who
sees them for the first time. Said
the boy: "Gran'ther, the schellum
might be behind the anthill."
Leisurely the old man directed his
steps toward the spot, where he, after
inspecting the ground on three sides
was about to give up the quest. Look
into The bunch of tambookie grass
suggested the boy. Turning to do
so he was met in full onset by a
splendid lioness. Her spring landed
her upon the mans left shoulder, her
weight carrying him to the ground,
where she lay with her teeth fast set
IN the Dutchman's shoulder. He Law
prone with his rifle thwartwise
under his body. Listen, We American
lads, whose souls are fraught with
histories of daring-do.
The boy, seeing the old mans
plight, did not run away or set to
blubbering. Not he. Down he went
on his stomach and crawled near
enough to catch hold of the rife,
which he drew away, and then, look
ing to see if the cartridge was all
right, he took the best aim he could
at the lioness. His shot took effect
through the lOins of the beast, which
half rose. and snarling savagely
somewhat unnerved the lad. He
Withdrew few feet further back. |
wien he removed the empty she'll
from the rifle, and, carefully reload
ing, took second shot with perfect
success. Shot through the heart,
the animal rolled over on her side, |
and after a tremor or two was stilled
in death.
BY this time several natives from
the wagon, hearing the shots, came
running up They made 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 Temporal
ry hospital. The writer of this ar
ticle was fever patient at the time,
and can vouch for this act Of gallant
ry en- the part of the ten-year-old
boy.