The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-10-20

"All the same, he was long time;
perhaps he was really gone for good
Bah! there came his ugly head round
the corner again, making straight for
us.
When he was pretty near | kissed
Cognac, and threw bit of cake into
the hole. Then | climbed again to
my perch, Cognac retired growing
into his fortress. and the beast of
lion mounted guard over Ms as before
He looked quite cool and comfort
able, and had evidently had a good
drink
Another hour and he was still
there.
while was wondering how long
he really meant to stay, and Il was
destined to spend all night on the
bough like monkey, he got up, and
walking quietly to the foot of the tree.
without uttering sound, sprang up
at me with all his might.
He was quite yard short, but |
was so startled that l nearly lost my
balance.
His coup having failed, be lay
down right under the branch I was
on, couching his head on his paws as
If to hide his modification.
''Suddenly the thought came into
my mind. Why not make devil and
drop it On his back? I dismissed it
as ridiculous, but it came again. As
we have all. including our English
friend here, been boys, you know what
| mean-not a fallen angel, but the
gunpowder devil
Good. Well, it seemed feasible
I would tryit
Il had plenty of powder in my little
flask, so pouring some into my hand
: moistened it we'll with spittle and
kneaded away until it came ont tiny
Nesuviua of black paste. Then |
formed the little crater, which | filled
with few grains of dry powder, and
set it carefully on the branch.
"My hands shook so with excite
ment | could hardly hold the flint
and steel, but | struck and struck
the tin@er ignited-now Nesuvius.
"Whiff, Whizz The lion looked
up directly, but | dropped 1t plump
on the back of neck For an instant
he did not seem to know what bad
happened; than, with an angry growl
up he jumped and tore savagely at
the big frey flea Oh his back, which
sent shower Of sparks into his
mouth and nose.
Again and again he tried and then
raunI ynI IIly- ahn,,f
horrible leonine language, and no
wonder. for the devil had worked we'll
down among his greasy hair, and
must have stung him like hundred
hornets. His back hair and name
burst into flame, and he shrieked
with rage and terror
Then he went stark staring mad,
clapped his tail between his legs, laid
back his ears and rushed out of the
grove at twenty miles an hour; and
disappeared up the ravine.
almost as mad as the lion with Joy,
and feeling sure that he was gone for
good l tumbled down the tree and
IAN off along the road as hard as |
could with Cognac barking at my
heels. By and by l had to pull up.
for the sun was still very hot; but |
walked as fast as l could, looking out
for Marengo, who would not go yer,
far from his master. Presently !
spled him in hollow. A whistle,
and, whinnying with delight, he trot
ted up and laid his head on my shouI-
der.
''ln my hurry had forgotten the
bride. but with my belt and hand.
kerchief extemporized halter, tied
one end round his nose, and catching
up Cognac, mounted and galloped off,
defying all the lions in Africa to
catch me.
There were still two hours before
sunset to reach the next village. and
by hard riding l did it. That all three
of us enjoyed our supper goes with
out saying. And that, gentlemen. is
my story"
We all agreed it was wonderful.