Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-11-21
,e.in. as if looking for its master and

TUUnG il iIt I EdA u III 49,
IL with doubt and disfavor. When II
turned they doubled to the rear OF IT
again: and the big lion with the buck
xben he saw II coming in his direc-
ton. seized his prey in his mouth, ana
with an angry growl bounded on out
If the track of the queer monstrosity.
Then he stood up and roared again.
Two of the other lions were not fully
grown. Apparently they did not quite
dare to spring upon the lifelike yet
malodorous creature, but kept follow
ne it. charging close up behind 1t at
one moment, then falling back.
The other larger lions or lionesses
souatted at a distance in the grass and
watched it.
Stones and bushes were constantly
DETECTING the direction of the motor
carriage; and before long it ran into
another larger bush, or clump OF
bushes. that brought it to standstill'
although it continued putting andpush-
ing at the obstruction.
For some time the lions watched y,
but grew listless or indifferent TO the
performance, and went out toward the
black-maned lion with the buck.
He was not disposed to divide with
them. and greeted their approach with
menacing growls. Allfour then squat
ted down TO watch him with snarls and
envious looks, and Hill now made the
mistake Of thinking that he might get
down and possess himself Of his car
bine-as he would have to go no more
than $50 feet, and the lions were now
,hree times that distance away.
He fancied that the gyrations OF the
automobile had caused them to forget
him. II, indeed, they had eyes really
noticed his escape.
But descending the inclined tree
trunk slowly proved a more difficult
feat than running up rapidly; when
part way down he slipped and slid to
the ground. making some noise. Re
gaining his feet as nimbly as possible,
he glanced hastily toward the lions
only to see TO his dismay that one Of
the two young ones had heard or seen
him and was bounding toward him;
also that the other three had started
up and we're about to follow.
Nothing remained for it but to MAXI
a dash back up the slanting tree-trunk.
When about halfway up he nearly lost
his foothold, and barely saved him
self from tumbling back.
The lion was close upon him. With
an ugly growl it attempted to ascend
the tree-trunk, and thrust up paw
with extended nails; but II lost its
footing and fell into the dry grass be-
low. A moment later il dashed up the
trunk again, but was not agile enough
to pass the obstructingupright branch,
behind which Hill was sheltering him
self.
The lion chung, however, growing
and snarling with one paw clasped
around the branch. Hill could have re-
treated farther into the top of the
tree, but he feared the lion might
work its body around the branch and
effect Judgment in the top itself. He
had a strong pecketknife, and cutting
a smaller limb for club, struck the
lion so stiff a blow with il that the an
imal, uttering a roar, fell to the ground.
Infuriated by the blow, the beast
instantly charged up third time; but
Hill had now secured good hold with
his left hand, and dealt such blows
with his club on the brute's head and
paws that again it leaped to the
ground, roaring and snarling from BAT
fed rage. Its outcries melted the 9th.
ers to make an attack; and amidst a
horrible chorus of roars and growls
first one, then another, and soon two
or three at time came charging uI
the tree-trunk. Only one, however
could approach the difficult point oil
passage around the upright branch
and whenever paw was thrust above
the branch, Hill hammered il with the
, club so vigorously as nearly e
crush IL.
Two of the lions were already bleed
ing at the nose, and all four appeared
to have had enough of the effort K
. scale the tree-trunk; but they had be
come wrought up to such a state o.
fury that Hill had little hope tina
they would leave the place that night
! A fresh expedient presently suggest
ed itself, however; Hill had matche
/, in his pocket, and gathering wads 0
. dry bark or moss from the tree-trunk
he ignited them and then dropped then
! into the dry grass under the tree. Sooi
a ring Of fire and smoke began t,
spread. The four lions finally made OF
: through the fringe Of trees, and 500
! tHill saw the one that had killed III
duiker-bok bounding away with tn
carcass in its mouth.
) Although far from certain that n
Z lions would not return and attack hin
= Hill was forced to descend and run I
!. the automobile before the fire reache
! II, lest there might be an explosion O
a his fuel tank and cartridges.
a The Little Aiaxwas still putting ava
8. at the obstrueting bush, all ready {
e go when released Hills first though
d was his carbine; but the fire wa