Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1907-02-01
sE'7F5 jSh BY A
by a Lion Hunter..

Tor my life, with no one at manu- "
aid me in distracting the attention of
me lion. l had only one white man
with me, and he was Ill of fever. We
had dug pit on path frequented by
lions coming down to drink, but were
much annoyed by other animals fall.
ing into it.
"On the first night we caught two
hyenas; on the second, a panther; on
the third, a wild hog. Those would
have been prizes had we not been
after lions, and lions alone. On the
fourth night / stationed couple OF
natives in a tree near the path TIC
brighten off all game but lions. They |
were hunters, and knew the tread OF
lion from that of any other beast
when going down to drink the lion
generally shifts the air. probably to
find what game is abroad. On rough
path his tread is as heavy as mans
and no one who has hunted him need
be afraid of making mistake.
"On this night, after the natives
had driven several worthless animals
away, large lion and lioness came
down the path. When first discovered
the lion was ahead, but he got the
scent of the men in the tree, and
stopped short to growl and sniff. while
the lioness, who was, perhaps, very
thirsty, advanced slowly and went
down into the pit
1.-THE pit was two miles from our
camp, and we heard nothing of the
row which took place when the lion
discovered the trick played upon his
mate He tore around for spell like
mad, and then lay down at the foot
of the tree and besieged the men. AS
soon as 1t was daylight left camp on
horseback to ride over and see what
luck 1 rode straight for the place.,
and when within 40 rods called to thel
men.
They answered at once, and though
I could not make out what they said,
knew that they were excited over
something I was riding around a
clump of trees onto an open space,
when my horse suddenly started. Next
instant I was on the ground and a lion
! standing over me, while l could hear
the horse tearing away through the
scrub like mad The lion had pulled
me down, nearly tearing the back out
of my jacket, but not drawing blood
with his claws.
"As in a previous case, was not
frightened, because 1t had occurred
SO suddenly that had not had time
to lose my nerve. I was on my left
side, bareheaded, and the lion stood
for a moment with his right paw on
my shoulder looking after the horse.
1.-THE natives saw the fleeing horse
knew very well what had happened
to me, and at once descended the tree
and made for camp. did not blame
them any and perhaps that very action
saved my life. l had time to collect
my thoughts in that single instant
and as l had routed one lion by bark
. ing like dog, decided to follow tbs
same plan in this case.
But, as l said before. lions are al
. unlike as men. At my first bark thii
, fellow growled savagely, and gave MI
terrible bite on the hip. Had / criet
! out at this, or made any struggle, h
would have finished me at once. | re
) pressed my feelings and played dead
/ had a revolver strapped to my back
but it would not do to reach for 1t.
After biting me the lion watches
I and waited for signs of life, and whe
i he could detect none he seized m
:. right shoulder in his teeth. gave m
|. a shake and a twist and next momen
Q / was being carried off on his bacl
!, His teeth did not touch my flesh, an
]. as / lay across him on my side m
e hand struck the butt of the revolve
L / had 1t out of the holster in secont
l. and then felt that I had a SHOW
). Whether the beast felt any movemeT
g or not, he growled at intervals, an
his breath came back on me SO stron
that I was nauseated / intended
fire into him as he was carrying m
along, but he was swaying about {
that did not dare to risk 1t.
after carrying me half mi
through the scrub and over broke
ground, the lion halted at the hea
:, of a ravine, in which he doubtless hs
= his lair. He turned about as II to 81
If pursuit had been made, and the mu
:" zle of the revolver came against b
left hip. ! fired at once, and next
10 slant was flung on the earth, WIFI
:, the lion uttered a scream OF pain.
~ II was on my knees in flash, b
II the beast was ten feet away, goil
to around in circles and biting at t
ed wound. He did not notice me In t
at least, and / sent another bullet In
as him just back of the shoulder. ]
Tx uttered another scream, and inste
aa of rushing at me, as / fully expectt
~ made leap into the ravine, where
-. ~ could hear him running for some d
MA lance.
IA. ct was badly shaken up, but l Il
no time In getting out of the neit
or borhood, and in the course of an he