The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-01
THE CHARGE. OF THE LION.

H. SetOn-Karr, in the Royal MagaZIneI
After we had gone 10 miles, winding
in and out among the mimosa bushes,
the two horsemen pointed overhead to
the blazing zone, and saw hundreds Of
vultures flying at an immense altitude.
Dismounting and advancing alone on
foot with my rifle, I soon caught sight
of the dead camel. The lion was crouch
ing behind it, and appeared almost ex-
actly of the same color as his prey. I
was within so or 80 yards when the lion
sprang out toward me and remained
for some moments mOtlonless in a de-
fiant attitude, his fOrepawS extended,
his head near the ground, but his back
arched. Surprising he might be coming
for me I reserved my hre-beSideS, the
distance was too great for an absolutely
certain shot-sO that I might give him
my two barrels at close quarters as he
was charging down at me. After that
knew must trust to luck, as had no
second rife or gunbearer, and should
have no time to reload.
After we had thus regarded each 9TH
er for some seconds the lion turned
slowly and numbered heavily away. I
was sorry, since he had not charged,
that I had not fired, and sent a bullet
screaming after him through the bushes
as better late than ever. I was soon in
the saddle and away upon his tracks
at gallOp, accompanied by the noun
tain guides. The lion soon stopped I'M
under q small mimOSa bush, crOuching
and glazing at US with waving tail as
we rode round. I then approached on
foot. The brute was now SWaying his
tail and body from side to side with
much energy, and clearly upon the
point of charging down to kill me.
AS walked round to get flank shot
into his shoulder the lion moved so as
to face me, keeping his body invisible.
and rendering a chance shot very haz-
ardOus, the brain being the only vital
part to aim for. If one of the hOrSemen
had only Ventured near, or if the lions
cd
moment toward another foe, he might
have turned and given me my OppOr-
tunlty of fatally crippling him. The on
~ issue was now the death of the lion.
or of myself, or both. Which it was to
be depended on the accuracy of my
aim and the GOODNESS of hand and eye.
Every instant the beast, like a huge
cat after bird, was working himself
up for the inevitable charge, flashing
his great TANKS with his tail. 1 re
member wondering at that supreme
moment whether the popular supersi-
ton that on the end of his tail a lion
has claw or sharp point wherewith
to goad himself on to the attack could
have any groundwork of fact.
now gave up all hope of an easy
shot, and feeling that further delay was
impossible, as he might deliver his
charge at any moment, 1 sat down,
and, resting my elbows on my knees.
fired twice at his head through the bush
at distance of about 90 yards. These
shots failed to kill, and, uttering hOarse
GROWS, the hon edged round the bush,
facing me and keeping low upon the
ground. reloaded quickly and, stand
ing upright so as to clear the grass,
fired my right barrel downward at his
head. The lion Immediately rose to his
feet and charged down upon me at full
speed, running swift and low. Only my
left barrel remaining, and, covering his
chest with the sights of my rife as he
neared me, I pulled the trigger when
he was few yards distant. Exactly
what the lion did no man will ever
know, unless the natives saw AS
stepped hastily to one side, reloading
L was struck by a shower of stones ana
half blinded by cloud of sand and
dust. The lion must have passed close
by me, and swung abruptly round IN
der cover of the smoke.
When the dust cleared away I saw
the lion under the bush again-the
same old bush. He had delivered his
charge, and it had failed. 1t was a
sick and sorry beast, and evidently
disconnected and wounded unto death.
1 now had an easy side shot into his
shoulder, and quickly put two bullets
through his heart. 1 had seen one of
the grantest sights of Africa-the
charge upon ones self of the wild At
rican lion, practically carried hOme-a
charge that few have sustained and
yet come off unframed. One can have
too much of a good thing, and the sight
is not one that 1 should desire to see
frequently.