The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1908-03-03
TALES OF
TAKING A MAN KILLER.


In Portuguese East Africa, on the
eastern shore of Lake Nyasa, nearly
opposite to the island of Likoma, is
tract of land commonly known as
the Kobwe district, and it is about six
miles in all in extent. At one of the
villages, Uchesi, in the portion of land
called after the Kobwe River, a ma
tive was one day looking after the
cattle OF neighboring chief, when
full-grown lioness in broad daylight
attacked one of the COWS which were
feeding on the open plain near the
waters OF the lake. The herdsman at
once went pluckily to the rescue. and
with native axe wounded the beast
on the forehead, which turned on him
and grabbed him by the thigh. How
ever, he was able to free himself, and
the lioness went off bleeding into the
bush at the back. The man returned
to the village, apparently not serious
ly injured, but toward evening sud
denly collapsed and was buried the
next morning.
Act two OF the tragedy took place
at night at Mlambe. Only in the last
few years have the Portuguese Of
ficers of the district been engaged in
collecting hut tax. and many OF the
people still try to avoid paying the
same, for all youths who have hair
growing under their armpit are reck-
oned to be of an age to pay, and
women whose husbands are down
south at the mines or are at work
elsewhere are called upon to work at
the Bona Government residence),
or to cut and bring in so many bun
dies of grass in lieu of hut tax, price
As, or its equivalent in kind. Ma
tive policemen are sent round to viii
lagos and are told to raid the houses
during the night for which no tax
has been paid, and to bring all found
therein to Bona. On this occasion
three women, to avoid being taken,
for the police were in the village, had
passed the night in the reeds close to
the shore, and almost in the rice
fields. Just before sunrise they de-
termined to return to their homes,
and one OF them stood up preparatory
to start, when the lioness sprang upon
her. but made off again, apparently
frightened by the shrieks OF the 9TH
ers and perhaps startled by the noise
or men, who quickly began to appear
on the scene, armed with native
weapons. The woman was carried
into a. neighboring hut. where she
shortly afterward expired
In some parts the natives, who are
very fond OF the flesh Of wild rhlmals.
will collect on a certain day in order
TO organize a big game drive. Men.
women and children would "a cut
onto the hills az the bark. scattering
In all dircctions. and then. tracing
their Say home. viii gradually close
tn. singing. beating drums and sound
Ing horns. until they have driven all
before them into a small semi-circle,
often a clump OF bushes or reeds, the
lake acting as a background to head
on the game. When they had sur
rounded the reeds near Mataka'S viii
lage, and were preparing TO enter to
kill the game they had driven there
In, one man shouted that the lioness
was asleep within, apparently being
gorged with food. having taken OPP
portunity to help herself from the
spoils of the drive. AS 1t was get
ting toward dusk, the men deter
mined to wait till the morning, so
they collected all their fishing nets
and surrounded the reeds, with their
gear firmly fastened into the ground
with poles, those who were bold
enough sleeping outside with guns,
spears, bows and arrows and axes.
In the morning they commenced to
burn as much as would burn of the
underground, and to cut down what
through dampness would not ignite.
gradually reducing the space that
contained her ladyship. Suddenly at
one corner men fed. and one. by name
William, tripped over the stump of
reed and was Immediately seized by
the pursuing brute This rallied the
others. who with guns and other
weapons forced her TO loose her hold
and retreat into the small piece OF
cover still left. The lioness was
bleeding from gunshot. and on
being still further harassed appeared
In the open, wading out into the shall
low water Of the lake. Here she re-
ceived two more wounds before she
fell, and amid the shouts OF the ex-
cited natives was dragged ashore.
where she was cut open with much
ceremony, and found to contain two
cubs almost ready for birth. Will
lam, like the first man. seemed like
ly TO get over his wounds. for he
walked TO his home, but he after
ward likewise suddenly collapsed.
The skin Of the lioness with the axe
mark on her forehead was taken 70
the Bona, and the district now lives
In peace London Field.
A REAL, GHOST gTopv