The National tribune., 1899-04-20
is clawing them out bold comrades fill its
hoT y fiilI of aSsepais

l
body full of aSsegais.
No such fighting takes place in Kordofan.
Small companies, hesitating and unskillfnl,
sometimes sally forth, but commonly get the
worst of it-a fact which these animals COM
prehend so perfectly that their conduct to-
wards human beings has been shaped Accord
ingly. Nothing except religious enthusiasm
will make unframed Arabs energetic, and as
no holy war can be waged against lions,
things 90 on in the manner described. Ma
tives under ordinary circumstances are brave
enough individually, and undoubtedly an
effectual resistance might be made; yet the
brute maintains its ascendency. Perhaps q
story told of something that happened not
long ago may bring more vividly to mind
those conditions which have been mentioned
as determining the respective positions occu-
pied bv man and beast throughout kordofan
"Inshallah (please Cod, said lacoob
Abou Moosa, stroking his beard, 1T was my
sisters son who had been appointed to die
The Hakim (doctor) knows my business IS
that of a grain carrier, and that l make Jour
neys. Last year. when the SET (dry season.
was nearly over. and gusts of wind came now
and again, we drew near the well of Sheik
Ibrahin, which is always full. Clouds
gathered on high, their shadows darkened
1 anu "1y-pCiL'po So'hS VI tHNSS
shades were those of evil spirits such as
haunt the desert. Baobabs with palms grew
at the spot where the water rose up in several
places and formed pool, so that the earth
was moist. But little more would have
brought us there No token of danger ap-
peared, for our eyes were blinded; neither
did the asses make any sign. Has it not
been well said that when the ass OF Jesus
went to Jerusalem; on its return from this
pilgrimage it was an ass STILL
"Nothing stirred beneath these trees; like
wise, there had been no report OF lions. 1t
was written in his indeible tablets by Allah
that we should be taken unawareS. leaned
my gun against baobab trunk, and went
about making ready for rest, when our big
gray asa discreet beast, and well-con-
ductei at all times-pranced with many
snortings; then it broke away and fled into
the desert. Behold he is possessed by some
demon, said Ali, and verify that was what
myself supposed; but we were wronsi for
when the young man pursued, a lion rose up
from bare earth, where before there was
naught to be seen except sand and gravel.
He leaped upon Ali, and l assembled the tree
hastily, perceiving that this was designed.
"While repeating The Faith, it became
evident that my nephew had secret sins
which were unknown to me; since his death
did not come mercifully. Yea, the lion rent
him sOrcly before he became still. and my own
record. Al Allah that also must have been
imperfect, or l should have been spared this
sight. When the accursed made an end, he
walked around Ais body. His tail stood
ont like the standard of a Pasila, pride
swelled him, he snaried with cleaning teeth,
and from time to time looked upon me ma
levOlently.
AT this time the beast ate only the middle
part of Ali, cracking his bones, after which,
he withdrew somewhat aside and watched.
Truly NV desire was to shoot this abandoned
one. eing now. by the favor of heaven, in
position to do 50; but the gun could by no
means Ee got up with loop made at tie end
of my waist-cIoth and turban tied together.
Moreover. SO often as | climbed down little,
he rose with bristling name.
"By the beard of the Prophet, on whose
name be blessings and peace, that night was
very long; its winds were cold, and my limbs
grew numb. The lion Mt times ate like a
ghoul, tapping water loudly afterwards. and
at times he tore my tree with his claws,
rearing up to gaze upon me with burning
ewes. Once towards dawn, while he looked
thus, and uttered low, deep sounds that |
shook the air, a madness came over my spirit
such as impelled me to descend. Bat thanks
be. to God! this fascination passed fwhen q
distant ro1r diverted his attention, and he
began laundering defiance, so that my senses
nearly departed.
"Day came; the sun blazed; dread, fatigue,
and thirst wrought upon me in such wise as
to make illusions out of things which were
real, and turn realities into the visions of a
dream. How should 1 know when Sidi
Achmet's caravan came? 1t was there
camels, burden-asses, with many men carry |
ing guns The lion had gone, and when my
nephew's bones were buried, ], being yet
somewhat ligtt-headed, spoke of pursuing
this murderous brute; but sidi Achmet said:
: Not 80, Brother; we saw him CO. For
short while he was visible, and then van
ished. Truly, your destiny is propitious,
for that beast was magician; neither would
Staying him, if this could be done by any
means, restore him whose appointed fate has
been accomplished
"Then, knowing that these words were
true, / returned home thankfully, and q
very creditable mourning was made for my
nephew"