The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1907-09-13

was repeated. Finally, th lion, find
ing himself unable to get at the OK
ceased his attacks. He did not re.
treat, however, but stood with open
mouth and cleaning eyes, uttering
loud growls of defiance. J..
Coaly was not in the least intimi.
dated by this show of resistance.
Lowering his head, he plunged reck-
lessly at the lion. Then followed a
fierce and exciting struggle, which
lasted for several minutes.
Again and again the OK charged
furiou'ly, but the lion always sprang
nimbly out of the way, and in turn
tried to jump upon the back OF his
antagonist. Notwithstanding his huge
size, Coaly was very swift in his move
ments. Whenever the lion presented
himself, he found the sharp hoyns
ready to receive him.
Finally I saw the lion make a des-
perate leap at Coaly's throat. The OK
turned very quickly, so that his body
shut out my view. For little whi
| was very much afraid lest my cham
pion, although he had been having
the fight all his own way so far,
should be defeated and perhaps killed.
But soon he turned, and 1 saw, much
to my relief that there was. no occa-
sion whatever for alarm on his ac-
count.
The hon was on his back on the
ground, while Coaly was almost stand.
ing on his head over the PROSTATE
doing his best to drive his horns
through it.
Whether he succeeded I could not
tell in the dim light; but in few Sec
onds the lion was again thrown into
the air. When he struck the ground
all the fight was gone of him. He
scrambled away, followed by the furi-
Gus Coaly. Both disappeared among
the cedars.
l listened intently to learn wh at
they were doing. Now and then a
growl, more of pain than of defiance.
come back from the direction they |
had taken. Each growl was fainter,
coming father up the creek, and from |
/ knew that the lion was not racing
at good speed.
While [ was listening eagerly for
some evidence that the fight had been
renewed, l became aware that every
thing round me was growing lighter.
Glancing down, l saw with dismay
that my bed was on fire. One of the
Goals that had been scattered by the
oombatants had fallen upon the straw
which had at last burt into blaze.
II the lion had still been near
snoulah have remained up in the tree
and allowed the fire to burn, although
my hat, boots> coat and vest the only
part OF my clothing that had re-
moved on going to bed, would have
been consumed. But feeling that
there was now no danger, 1 hastily
let myself down and extinguished the
blaso. The-ouly -haln done was the
burning off the corners Of two OF su.~=
quilts.
soon kindled another fire of wood
and felt safer when l saw it blazing
up brightly, although I was still very
much afraid. A little reflection con-
vinced me that it would prove a bet.
ter safeguard than any tree l could
climb. T.. ~,
The experience through which l
had passed left me in an excited, ner-
vous state. At every. sound, how
ever slight; I started and turned
quickly, not knowing at what moment
the lion might come back. | was
also anxious lest Coaly should take
it into his head to 60 home, and leave
me with only half team:
As nearly as could tell by the
moon it was now about midnight. l
turned up the ends of the quilts and
blankets and crawled under them.
Then l lay and listened for any sus-
picious sound. Every now and then
I raised my head and looked about,
but saw nothing to revive my fears.
Before l knew that l was. getting
sleepy, l was sound asleep.
was awakened by something push
ing against the side of my bed. Start
ing up in alarm, l was greatly reliev,
ed to see that it was only Coaly. He
was putting his nose under the blan-
kets to. get the oats. The broken
rope was dangling from his horns.
The fire had burned out, but it was
now day, bright, still frosty morn
ing and the first rays of the sun were
already shining against the mountain.