New-York tribune., 1909-02-21

throwing themselves on the tracks before the en-
gire; then. swarming into the trucks, they turned
their backs upon Tsavo and its accursed Hons
After this exodus work on the railroad ceased and
practically nothing done by the few men re-
naming save to construct lion proof" huts Near
ly every had beds lashed to its branches. and
tree so heavily loaded that night when
the camp was attacked by lions it toppled over,
hurting its load of frightened coolies 10 the ground
close 10 the lions. then too busily engaged IN de-
vouring a fresh victim to attention to the
shower Of terrified humanity descending about
them.
Colonel Pattersons boy who sent TO the
station one evening to meet Mr.. Whitehead, the
district officer. who had volunteered to assist the
colonel in his campaign against the man-eaters,
came running back in terror exclaiming that
huge lion had taken possession Of the station
The colonels guest failed put in appearance,
and during his watch that night for the lions he
heard them growing. purring and crunching a
short distance away. In the morning Colonel Pat
terson found his missing guest. Whitehead. in the
bush His clothing was ripped open from the back
OF his neck downward. and four great claw marks
showed in the flesh through the cloth He
and a sergeant of native troops had been attacked
by the lions the way from the station to the
camp. The lions had eaten the native. That day
the lion hunting forces were strengthened by the
arrival from the coast OF the superintendent Of
police and of Sepoys and the campaign
against the brutes took renewed visor. Two Of
the Sepoys were put bait in the big trap, but
one night when Of the lions rushed in they
completely lost their heads that, though armed
with Martini rifles, they failed fire until the
beast had got clear of the cage. Then they dis
Charged over a of shots in all directions.
1t was about dawn morning soon after the
return to the coast of his armed assistants that
Colonel Patterson heard a native shouting "Lioni
Lion!' and learned that the brutes failing in
attempt 10 seize a man. had made off with a
donkey, whIch they then eating. Armed with
a heavy rife he staked the animals so success
fully that he able make the form OF
one of them through the bush. Then his bearer
stepped a rotten stick and the lion dsap-
peared in the thicker jungle. Posting his follow
ers in halfcircle about the thicket he Instructed
them TO beat tomtoms and and keep up
incessant din he had taken up a station
on the other side. He had the satisfaction
OF seeing huge maneless lion step into the
open. With the brute almost upon him. the colo
nel's first shot missed fire. Before he had recov-
cred from his surprise the lion had jumped aside
into the bush. and another shot was answered by
an angry growl which told that the animal had
been hit Believing that the lion would
the spot Colonel Patterson that night took UP his
the carcass of the donkey. His vigil was re-
warded by the appearance Of one of the man
eaters. but the brute discovered the hunters
presence and began to stalk him
For about two hours he Mortified by slowly
creeping around and around my crazy structure"
says Colonel Patterson in his story that trying
period. gradually edging his way and
nearer. Every moment L expected him rush it,
and the staging had not been constructed with
eye to such possibility. If OF the rather
fimsy poles should break the lion could spring
the twelve feet which separated the
ground-the thought was scarcely a pleasant one"