Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-03-27
A REMARKABLE RACE.

Paul Kruger, the famous president
of the Transvaal, is a man of many
qualities, among which
courage and sagacity are foremost.
He is now an old man, but the story
of his career, as Mr.. Poultpey Bigelow
obtained it at Pretoria shows that he
began early to be parsonage. It is
not exactly commonplace boy, for
instance, who shoots big game at
seven, kills his first lion at eleven, and
serves his country as full-fedged
soldier at thirteen.
That is a part of Paul Kruger's
record, however. As it might lead
one to guess, he was gifted with re-
markable physique as well as with
great abilities, and the tales of his
youthful exploits are almost beyond
belief. He was peerless runner, for
one thing, and at 1S outran horse in .
race of seven or eight hundred yards.
This story was told Mr.. Bigelow by
an eye witness, and confirmed by the
president himself.
"On another occasion" narrates Mr..
Bigelow she ran foot race against
the pick of the Kafir chiefs. There
were large prizes of good cattle. It
was a long, whole days run across
country, past certain well.known land
marks-amongst others his fathers
house. Young Kruger soon distanced
all competitors, and when he reached
his fathers house he was 80 far ahead
that he went in and had some coffee.
His father, however, was so angry with
him for running across country with
out his rifle that he very nearly gave
his son fogging. He made the boy
take light rife with him when he
left to finish his race"
And the old man was right, as 1t
proved. At sunset the Kafr runners,
though they lightened themselves by
casting aside shields, spears, and even
their bangles, had been left hopelessly
behind and young Kruger, seeing
something stirring in the grass, thought
he might as well bring an antelope in
to camp with him, having leisure to
spare for the purpose.
"He aimed and pulled the trigger,
but the gun missed fire and instead of
an antelope, there bounded up huge
lion, which had been disturbed by the
sound. The two faced each other, the
lion glaring at Kruger, and he return
ing the glare by the steady gaze of his
fearless eyes.
The lion, retreated a few steps, and
Kruger made as many steps forward;
then Kruger commenced taking one
step backward, followed By second,
and then third. But the lion fol-
lowed every move of Kruger, keeping
always the same distance. This work
was getting to be very wearing, not to
say dangerous, particularly as dark
ness was coming on and no sign OF
relief.
"Slowly and cautiously Kruger pre-
pared his musket for second shot.
He raised, aimed, and pulled the trig-
ger, but again there was only the snap
of the cap, and Kruger saw himself
face to face with lion, and no weap'
on but the stock of a useless rifle. The
last snap of the lock had so infuriated
the beast that be made spring into
the air and landed close to Kruger's
feet-so close, indeed, that the earth
was thrown up into his face.
"He raised his gun to deal the ami
NAL blow, but at this the lion re-
treated, glancing sullenly over his
until he was about 30 yards
away; then, as though by sudden
impulse, the beast broke into a furious
gallop, and disappeared over the next
bill.
"Kruger joyfully resumed his race,
and in spite of all that had happened,
easily carried off the prize from the
Kafir Chiefs"