Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-11-17

wv as cornet in one of her maiesty's
regiments stationed somewhere in
Natal, thought myself the proudest
boy in all the country. l had long nursed
desire 20 see some of the distant parts
of the world, and here was chance
TO begin with Africa.
1 found my regiment in what is
known as the uphill country. 1t was
wild and almost entirely unbroken
tract, swarming with wild beasts of
every description, a rich field for the
hunter of large game, and the scene of
some daring exploits during our So
journ.
Not very far from our camp and at
the edge of n forest were several pools,
TO which the beasts of the region were
accustomed to come at night to quench
their thirst.
Our colonel had twice succeeded in
killing lion by shooting from a pit
which he had dug for the purpose near
one Of the pools, and his success created
In me a desire to do something of the
same kind.
I was seconded in my wishes by
native boy named Khoolah, a youth of
my own age, and well acquainted with
the habits of the wild beasts of Natal.
Together, during the day, we made
pit four feet deep, and running the
same In length. The bottom was COW
cred with Lot of native hay, pressed
firmly down.
The pit was at the foot of little bank
that sloped gently toward the basin,
which was within easy range.
When we had finished it, we covered
it with sticks and grass, SO as not to
render any prowling game suspicious,
and then returned to camp, nearly two
miles distant, to prepare for the night
ambush.
The colonel tried TO dissuade us from
embarking in the enterprise on hand
by telling me how he was once sur
prised in his lion pit by leopardess,
but was not to be turned in my inten-
tions in this manner.
He exhausted HIS arguments, and
then loaned me two of his hunting rifles
and lot of ammunition, which Khoo-
Lab and carried to the pit, reaching
1T just as the sun was sinking below
the dark, tree-covered hills.
We had been careful to build the am
bush so that the wind would blow to
us from the pool, and thus prevent
the animals seeking it from getting our
wind and scenting danger.
1t was a brilliant night, for when
the sun disappeared, thousands of
stars gave the sky the appearance of
vast diamond field, and on one side of
It, as 1t were, the moon hung like sill
yer shield of great brightness.
But this scene of beauty was soon
disturbed, for great clouds began to
chase one another across the heavens,
and at times we could not see our
hands before our faces.
More than once, for a moment, i
r wished myself back in camp, but did
not mention the wish to Khoolah, who,
crouched beside me in the pit, was
eager for the sport to begin.
1t was an hour after night had fair
~ set In when we heard a peculiarly
harsh cry in the belt of timber beyond
the water.
HE is coming!" exclaimed the Natal
boy, finding my arm in the darkness.
And knew that the king of beasts
was coming to the pool.
A strange stiffness seemed to fol-
low the roar. 1t lasted ten minutes,
and then another sound came from an
other part of the field.
I'VE are going to have royal sport.
Khoolah," said /. There are two Iions.D
AS the moon emerged from behind a
cloud, saw an enormous object be-
tween us and the shining surface of the
pond It was so large and in-shaped
that did not know what it was till
Khoolah, with glance told me that