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

TT WOULD be absurd after nego-
II tlatlng the dangers OF a passage
of the Upper Nile out of season
and after traversing several hundreds
of miles of country In the hands
of rebellious tribesmen. 10 come
to a mortal end under the paws
of a Nublan lion. II would be
the irony OF fate, but that is what
nearly happened TO me some years
ago. With perils innumerable behind
US the two white men OF the party
one gold-seeker the other pure
adventurer Of the type OF Tanner.
nearly came to an end.
We frequently left the river and
navigable tributaries which We were
working out slowly, to explore the ra-
vines for high bars, never taking with
us more than four bearers. though at
times we were absent from the main
party outfit for fortnight, knowing
it was entirely safe In the care of a
thin cross.eyed Arabian ex-chasseur
who was a born voyageur with tinge
of Napoleon and the Devil and Uncle
Tom in him. He was true as salt
Arabian and the blood brother Senegal
negro are two types Of dark skinned
men with whom would as soon face
danger and difficulty as with any
white men that live.
One night we were about to make
camp when we encountered a party OF
women and girls bearing water jars
and they told US of village a mile
further on. Before we reached the
village we were met by the chief and
his ipduanas who begged US TO make
stay with them as they were seri-
ously troubled with lions. Two Of the
chiefs horses and two of his wives
had been killed among the losses
which the village had suffered and
the three muskets In his army were Of
no avail especially as none OF the Of
ncers In command could be induced
TO get near enough to the bold beasts
to risk a shot.
The Nubian lion is different beast
from his South African and Asian
brother He Is taller, gaunter, with
black in his name and a certain philo-
sophical calm about his desperate
deeds. There is nothing throaty
about his roar and 1t is pure rumbling
thunder. He always reminds me of
Kipling's blush silent beast that
came around corner and fell to
work
About the second hour Of darkness
the cattle in the village became very
restless The wind was from the
south and as the half full moon was so
bright that any skulking animal near
the village would have been noticed.
Drayton and agreed that the lion was
in a little coppe of rocks about half
mile up the wind. We had not had
time before dark to examine any Of
the old spoor and knowing merely
| that there was at least lioness with
cubs among the lot, we set out in
stead OF waiting until they approached
| the stream Drayton carried special
| so so Winchester and l Parker ten
gauge, which had loaded with special
shells OF dense powder and buckshot
set In wax. This is a trick | learned
shooting grizzlies. The effectiveness
at short range. and the certainty in
tho darkness are very desirable. With
an absolutely reliable arm and a. care
fully prepared shell one is compari-
lively safe.
When within so yards of the koppe
splendid animal form rose out Of
70 ntn hfc
paws on hugo boulder. We were
x&f&%&%4%k%Rff
pen, and I believe she would have
gone quietly away and taken her cubs
with her, IL had not interfered. The
tenets ventilated by a certain cx-
plorer of prominence. who evidently
considers 1t a heinous crime to kill
lions and similar gentle. useful crea-
lures, had not then come to my knowl
edge, not that they would have inhu-
1, enced me a bit, II such had been the
case, and her rich. tawny skin was
sufficient temptation for me; so
aimed at her throat, which presents a
much easier and safer mark than that
OF the lion, with its matted and tan
gled manc. sufficient at times to offer
considerable impedimcnt to a bullet.
She must have raised her head az
fred. for my ball passed harmlessly
by: fortunately, too, for me, missing
! the youngster Immediately behind her,
or a pretty hullabaloo might have
been the result All the same, l was
in no enviable position, with my car
bIne empty. in close proximity to these
three cats I followed the old adage
OF keeping my eye intently fixed on
that OF the lioness; whether that had
anything to do with her refraining
from charging l will not pretend to
say. but she did remain still whilst !
mechanically reloaded and as me-