The San Francisco call., 1897-09-19
HUNTED BY A
MOUNTAIN LION.
Don't fire, Binnie. "


A l5-year-old San Francisco boy was the
speaker. Another San Francisco boy,
year older, stood with ready rife not
far distant. The two were wanderers
from Camp Call" They were school
boys upon their long vacation. Six boys
had picked out a camping place on the
slope of a mountain in Shasta County.
Two were from San Francisco, one from
Fresno, one from San Jose, one from Oak
land and one from Los Angeles. Their
camp mad been named for the San Fran
cisco CALL. of which they are all readers.
They had picked out good location for
the camp. The forest around them
abounded in game, both large and small.
Bear tracks and the footprints of deer
were among the earliest sights that at
tracted their attention when they began
to look about.
A large creek was near, in which there
was excellent fishing. The six boys were
we'll equipped with fishing tackle, guns
and everything needed to make camp life
a great success.
Don't fire, Binnie."
Hush, Ned; you'll scare the game"
The noise of some large body moving
through the thicket that was between the
boys and the creek told that the game
and that it was something formid able
was drawing very near. Suppose that it
was really a bear-a grizzly, even?
Both boys thought of this. and their
cheeks lushed-with some fear, but more
of hope But they were of the sort who
would stand their ground under all cir
eumsIances. Ii they were little scared
it was all the more to their credit that the
idea of running away would never be en-
tertained by either.
The next second they heard a roar that
seemed to be beside them. This gave
them better idea where to look for their
game. At the same time it told them
that their visitor was a mountain lion.
A lion had been about the camp the night
before. This was probably the same
beast.
Ned did not have his gun. A piece of a
tree limb was on the ground near him.
This he seized to use for club.
"Halloo, halloo" Voices came on the
wind and the sound of bugle. The four
other boys had returned to the camp and
were calling Binnie and Ned home to a
lunch of venson and mountain trout.
Sorry we can't accept their pressing
invitation, said Binnie, "but our business
may excuse US.
We'll take them home change in the
bill of fare, perhaps" answered Ned, grip
ping his club more firmly.
The boys had pressing business on hand
fast enough. There was never a crosser
mountain lion in California than the one
rbioh hod now raw, within on bDpdrad
PAGES of the boys and stood watching them,
its tail lashing viciously from side to side,
its eyes cleaning hungrily as it took in all
the scene preparatory to rush upon its
prey.
The boys could not see the brute. which
was behind the bushes.
What do you think about it?" whis-
pered Ned.
''Guess he's stopped to comb his hair
before making his appearance before
gentlemen"
His iionship was only looking the field
over. The mountain lion will not often
attack any person, but this brute was
nearly famished and crazed by the sigh of
food. He waited only a minute before he
began the engagement.
Swish!
The moment had come. Binnie glanced
nervously in the direction of the noise
He saw streak of dingy yellow in mo-
tion. 1t darted from the edge of the
thicket with the speed of a skyrocket
Before Binnie could get a good aim the
lion was within five feet OF Ned, who had
his club over one shoulder, holding it Just
as he would if he was about to hit for
three bases in game between San Fran
cisco and Oakland.
Ned withstood the onslaught bravely.
His club whistled through the air in the
close neighborhood of the lions head, but
the willy beast lodged neatly. ''One
strike!" shouted Ned gayly, as the lion,
not stopping to notice him, bounded by,
headed for Binnie.
The lion put himself in line between
Binnie and Ned. This kept Binnie from
firing, as he might have hit Ned instead
OF the lion.
Seeing Binnie waiting for him, the lion
seemed inclined, when he had rome few
leaps, TO give up the fight. Ned chased
the brute up and attacked him in the rear
with his club. A sharp blow upon his lett
hind foot made him cross again. He
started off with renewed speed 10 attack
Binnie. Ned made the mistake of follow
ing after. This made it impossible for
Binnie to safely use his gun.
CrRshi