The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-05-15

hidden by the clumps of brush through
which we had been working and he
did not see us. Slowly and majestic
ally he surveyed the little plain then.
thrusting out his ponderous Jaw ut
tered roar that went laundering
down the reaches OF moonIlt silence,
IL was with difficulty that could re.
strain Drayton from riskiug a shot
from where we stood. The lion held
his pose and ducking under cover OF
the brush and treading softly on the
sand we hurried forward to the first
ridge of rocks. To pass these, we
must attract his notice to a certainty,
so Drayton dropped on one knee while
with every nerve tIngling and my eyes
and ears astrain to catch any sign OF
his mate. who might be just beyond
the ridge for all we knew, waited for
Drayton's shot. He chose the chest
and the crash of the Winchester went
echoing among the rocks. The mag
niflcent beast leaped ten feet In the
air, then came rolling, tumbling, claw
ing down our side OF the koppe di.
was answered from other directions.
There were two other lions on the
other side Of the koppe and one In
the rocks and brush not 90 yards from
us to the right. But we had not time
to think of them The wounded lion
got to his feet with incredible energy
and quickness. AS he leaped. with
I nf
my Parker into his body. That was
enough. He landed in commissions
and it was fortunate that he had
enough. There was a crash In the
brush to the right and bounding into
the moonlight giving terrible voice.
came his mate. She stopped as she
caught sight of us. Never have I
broken and loaded a gun more quickly.
Drayton had pumped In another she'll
and without pauslng to more than
swing on his knee and cover, he let
drive and missed. barely raking her
shoulder She bit hastily at the wound
and then came for us like a thunder
bolt meant to pull both barrels.
but gave her the right She wavered
a trifle, but was on us before | could
fire again. She knocked Drayton fat
and his head. striking a rock. he lay
senseless, while her outStretched
talons tore his rifle from his hands
and tumbled it Gathering among the
bushes. Her momentum carried her
over him and her body merely
brushed me. leaped one pace TO the
right and swinging my piece without
even bringing 1t to shoulder drove the
bucks into her throat. She was in
the act OF whirling to rush upon Dray-
ton. but now dropped In heraflnal
agony rolling over and over on him.
one blind blow from her paws tearing
| half the clothes from his body but
leaving him unhurt / did not know
then but that she had crushed his
skull as she leaped but tragging him
aside l saw that he was merely
stunned and was now coming around.
The village having heard the shots
| and the roaring of the lions was Wild
with excitement. but though l called
repeatedly it was a full half hour be-
fore a crowd OF the braves would ven-
ture out to help me with Drayton. and
to take In the two splendid prizes
Farther down the ridge there were ,
other lions roaring. but waB too
shaken by our narrow escape to
think of following them up that night, I
by permission of Longmans. Green &
| Co. New York.
| downright. 1909 by Benz. 3. Hampton)
chanically brought up my weapon.
Taking more careful aim this time,
potted her right In her white cravat.
sending her in a somersault over the
young ones to their no little astonish-
ment, and, what with the roaring OF
the Honess and tho row made by the
cubs. there was quite Bedlam. Then,
appearing to realize their danger, they
suddenly vanished into cover again,
rather TO my relief My lioness strug-
glcd so violently that II was dificult
to finish her off, but at last she gave
me a chance to put her out OF her
misery by bullet through her brain.
AS soon as she lay still seated my
self upon her and waited for the reap
pearance OF the cubs. but, although
stayed until the sun had got very low.
/ never saw anything more OF either
of them. I therefore whipped on her
hide, and rolling 1t UP returned TO the
lion, and served him likewise. getting
through with the job before dusk. The
hyenas could now worry at the car
casses, though hoped l might hnd
the skulls Ia the morning. Making
my two skins into a bundle. though
an unwieldy one. I carried 1t all right
back to the wagon.
By permission of Longmans. Green 8
| Co. New York.
: Copyright, 1soa. by BENZ. B. HanptonS