The record-union., 1896-12-03
PAUL KRUGERS CAREER.
One of the Most Remarkable nen of
His Day.

On one occasion he ran a foot race
against the pick of the Kafffr chiefs.
There were large prizes of good cattle.
1t was long whole days run across
country, past certain weu-known land
narks-amongst others, his own faith
er's house. Young Kruger soon dis
tanced all his pursuers, and when he
reached his fathers house he was so far
ahead that he went in and had some
coffee. His father, however, was SO
angry at him for running across coun-
try without his rifle that he very near
ly gave his son ffogging. But he made
the boy take light rife with him
when he left to finish his race.
On sped young Kruger, the Kaffir
braves toiling after him as we'll as they
could. They threw away their impedi-
ments as their muscles weakened; their
path became strewn with shields,
spears, clubs, and even the bangles
they wore on their legs and arms. But,
in spite Of it all, Paul Kruger kept far
ahead Of them, and as the day waned
he found himself so completely master
of the situation that he commenced to
look about for an antelope which he
might bring into camp by way Of re-
plenishing the larder
He saw through the tall grass a
patch Of color, which made him think
that it belonged to a buck taking his
ease. He aimed and pulled the trig-
ger, but the gun missed fire, and instead
Of an antelope there bounded up a huge
lion who had been disturbed by the
sound. The two faced each other, the
lion glaring at Kruger and he return
ing that glare by the steady gaze of
his fearless eyes. The lion retreated
few steps. and Kruger made as many
steps forward; then Kruger commenced
slowly taking one step backward, fol-
lowed by a second, and then a third.
But the lion followed every move of
Kruger, keeping always the same dis
tance. This work was getting to be
very wearing, not to say dangerous,
particularly so as darkness was COM
ing on and no sign Of relief. Slowly
and cautiously Kruger prepared his
musket for second shot. He raised,
aimed and pulled the trigger, but again
there was only the snap of the cap,
and Kruger saw himself face to face
with a lion, and no weapon but the
stock Of useless rife. The last snap
of the lock had so infuriated the wild
beast that he made spring into the
air and landed close to Kruger's feet
SO close, indeed, that the earth was
thrown into his face and he expected to
be in the animals grasp. He raised
his gun to deal the animal blow, but
al this the lion retreated, glancing sui
lenly over his shoulder until he was
about fifty yards away; then, as though
by a sudden impulse the beast broke
into furious gallop and disappeared
over the next hill.
Kruger joyfully resumed his race, and
in spite of all that happened. easily car
ried off the prize from the Kaffir chiefs.
Kruger had no equal as a runner. He
was also famous for his skill with the
rifle Indeed, he would have challenged
the best of Buffalo Bills outfit and given
a good account of himself An old friend
of Kruger told me of his own knowledge
that Kruger was once on horseback and
chased by an infuriated buffalo. His
horse was a good one, but on this occa-
sion had become rather fatigued and the
buffalo commenced TO gain. The unequal
chase promised to end disastrously for
the horse and its rider, for the buffalo
kept gaining, and would soon have it's
horns in action. Then Kruger per-
formed feat which his old friend re-
called to me with great pride He turned
In his saddle. raised his rifle, took de-
liberate aim while his OWE horse was in
full gallop, fired, and the buffalo fell,
shot straight through the forehead.
But Kruger himself never let's one
suspect that he has done these things;
and to look at him in church one would
think he had been trained for the post
of deacon or church-warden.
Another story. equally strange, was
told me by the same friend. 1t hap
pened on the same day on which the
previous adventure occurred. He had
been chasing another buffalo, and his
horse had brought him close I'D to his
victim. Suddenly the huge beast put
his foot into hole. and fell head over
heels into a wallow. Kruger was on top
of 1t in a moment. horse and rider and
buffalo rolling pell.mell In the same big