Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-07-16

panther sprung from the bush. The
frightened oxen bolted, nearly upset
ting the twO-wheeled cart and throw
ing out the little girl. Instantly Paul
jumped after her. and, though unarm-
ed, grappled with the panther. He
seized the beast by the throat and by
main strength strangled it TO death.
Then, though torn and bleeding from
the wounds inflicted by the beast dur
ing the contest, he carried his sister
home in safety. This exploit, says
his historian. made him the hero of
the Transvaal.
Feat of Strength.
Once, when he was chasing a buffalo
bull and his horse had brought him
close to the game, the buffalo stumbled
and fell into a wallow filled by recent
rains from muddy pool. Unable to
check his speed, the horse followed,
and with his rider fell in heap on the
bull Not for an instant did Kruger
lose his presence of mind. He sprang
from his horse, and, Selling the horns
of the buffalo, twisted the head so as
to bring the nose and mouth of the an
imal under water. There he held it by
main force, himself astride of the buff
falO, until it drowned.
How He Ended Famine.
Once upon a time, before the Trans
vaal was republic, there was a fam
inc in the land and a party of hunt
ers was organized to seek for harte-
beeste. For days the search was in
vain. Then Paul Kruger, who was one
of the party, announced his intention
of retiring into the bush to pray for
help.
Taking a native he left the party,
and after an absence of several hours
returned and told his comrades that
| he had prayed and that in three days
time the Lord would send them game
in plenty; all they had to do was tC
wait for it's arrival and Stay it when
it came. Sure enough, two days later
the promised game appeared in sight
and the hunters had great store of
meat to take home.
From that moment Kruger was q
| greater hero than ever, and was re
garded as specially favored by the
I Lord.
| 1t was not until long afterwards that
| the native who accompanied him into
the bush told the story that Kruger
instead of praying during his seclu
sion, made straight for the nearest
| Kaffir kraal, and, calling the head
men, informed them that there was q
large force of Beers on the other side
of the bush, who had sent him to- tel
them that unless they, the natives
beat up game for them within three
days they should all be shot. The
| frightened Kaffirs set out at once, and
securing the country, discovered the
game and drove it into the Boel
camp.
settled Disputes.
AS president of the BOer republic
Kruger was the arbiter of all the
petty disputes his people chose tc
bring to him. He decided all minor
affairs on the spot. One day he saw
two men quarreling over a burrO
which each man asserted belonged
to him. Kruger stopped, and after
questioning the men, decided which
man had the right to the animal.
1T is yours, said he; now take il
home"
But can't replied the Boer, he re
fuses to go"
o, I'll take him for you, said Don
Paul, and forthwith he put his strone
arms under the obstinate animal and
carried him home.
Now see that you keep him here,
was his simple reply, as he dumped
the burrO into the carrall.
One of His Famous Decisions.
His famous decision in a case of in
heritance is in another vein and
worthy Of Solomon's judgment Two
brothers, whose father had bequeath
ed his property TO be equally divided
between them, could not agree upon
the division, and came to Dom Pau
to settle the dispute. He said to the
oldest son: You are the oldest, are
yOu not?" and. being answered in the
affirmative, continued, then you shall
divide the property" The elder broth
er was much pleased and the young
er correspOndingIy crestfallen. But
Dom Paul went on. Turning to the 9th
er: You are the younger, so you shall
have first choice of the lots"
His Fents of Endurance.
AS an athlete his physical powers OF
strength and endurance were almost
| beyond belief.
At IS years Of age for a small wager
over a straightaway course Of 7OC