Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-07-22
WITH THE MAN-EATERS.
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In 1898 Colonel Patterson Of the
British army went to East Africa to
undertake the reconstruction Of a rail-
way bridge over the River Tsavo. He
had a large force Of coolies with him,
but his work was hindered by the pres
ence of lions, one adventure with which
is described by a writer in the London
Daily Mail.
The work was well under way when
two most ferocious and Unsuitable man
eating lions appeared and established
a reign of terror which lasted nine
months. At one time all work was
actually suspended for three weeks.
At first men disappeared, no one
knew how. Then it was found that
workmen were carried off as they slept
in their tents.
A witness described one occurrence:
About midnight the lion suddenly
put his head in at the tent door and
seized Ungar Singh by the throat
The unfortunate fellow cried, 'Choro!
(Let go.) The next moment he was
gone, and we heard a terrible strug-
gle going on outside"
The next night the attack was In
another part Of the camp. And SO 1t
went on, each night heartrending
shrieks telling of fresh tragedy. The
lions grew very bold and would dare
everything. One night one of the
beasts sprang on the hospital tent, In
which eight men were lying, killed one
and wounded two others.
Every night for over week Colonel
Patterson waited and watched in vain.
The attacks which for weeks had been
made by one lion were now made in
pairs, each seizing a victim.
A light staging was constructed,
dead donkey laid near for bait, and
Colonel Patterson took up his position.
The lion came, and told by angry
growls that the hunters presence was
detected Then followed an uneXpect-
ed development. Says the colonel:
'"The hunter became the hunted, and
the lion began to stalk me. For two
hours he Mortified me by creeping
around and around my crazy structure.
The staging had not been constructed
with an eye to the possibility Of rush
at it. 1 began to feel distinctly creepy.
II kept perfectly still, but the strain
told heavily upon my nerves. About
midnight something came flop, and
struck me on the back Of my head. l
was so terrified nearly fell off the
stage. 1t proved to be only an owl.
The involuntary start gave was fol-
lowed by a sinister growl from below.
after this l kept as still as posi-
BILE, although trembling with excite
ment. In a short time heard the lion
begin to creep stealthily toward me.
I could barely see him, but l saw
enough for my purpose, and took aim.
My shot was followed by tremendous
roar, and 1 could hear the creature
leaping about in all directions.
az was no longer able to see him,
but 1 kept blazing away in the direc-
ton 1 heard him. At length there
came a series Of mighty groans, then
deep signs. When they ceased felt
that one Of the beasts which had so
long harried us was no more.
"In the morning it was found that
the lion measured nine feet eight inch
es.
'FThe second lion, killed one night I'M
der equally exciting circumstances,
gave a remarkable example Of vitality.
Struck by two bullets, he made off
with great bounds. AS soon as day
light came the lion was tracked.
Crippled by third bullet, he was COM
ing for me, when a fourth charge
brought him to the ground. On being
approached, he rose and rushed again.
A Martini bullet in his head and anoth,
err in his chest finished him for good
and ALL"