The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-01-17
FORMER PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
WATCHES NAKED NATIVES
SPEAR LION.
SONS LUCK PROvERB|Al
Kermit Is Fortunate In Stalking
Ubiquitous sonso and Arouses En-
With Another Specimen, Assuring
Smithsonian Entire Family.

Nairuoi. British East Africa. Dec.
IA long stream OF porters came
winding across the veldt toward the
station at Nairobi. looking for all the
world like a string OF ants. The stars
and stripes We're held aloft by giant
native. and the sound of horns made
strange discords with the chanting of
the weird and elusive Sagari song.
soon Colonel Roosevelt arrived on the
back of his fayorite horse. Tranquil
ity." 1t was the end of his last trip
in the British East African protec-
toratc.
Exciting Hunt.
This Sagari. which was the fourth to
be made out of Nairobi, gave Colonel
Roosevelt and his party an opportunity
ity to witness an exciting day at \
T.. Heris' farm at Saroigi in the Ghas
Ngusho Countrywide spearin. of "A lion
by Nandi warriors. seventy spearmcn
had been asked 10 take part In the
drive. and they assented readily. for
when warrior spears "a lion he be
comes "A leader of the fighting section
Of the tribe. may wear headdress
formed of the lions name. and may
walk at the head Of the file of the
Nandi braves when on the march.
When on these hunts they display ex-
traordinary courage.
The band of 20 almost naked men,
with their long, sharp spears. and at
tended by the chosen spectators. the
latter being mounted. proceeded down
long valley. where the grass was
thick. Thorn trees lines its edges
Soon lion was seen not more than
100 yards in front. Immediately the
warriors gave chase. and in less than
two miles they had rounded UP the
king of the wilderness. The horsemen
then approached. and IL was seen that
the lion at bay was a fuil-grown one
The spearmen began their task of sur
rounding the quarry. Every man went
TO his allotted position and the circle
slowly closed in on the snarling beast.
which swished his tail and kept up
a continual roaring.
The warriors drew to within some 70
yards of him and the horsemen closed
up To see the kill. Three times the
hon made savage charge at the
now stationary warriors. but stopped
short each time. roaring in impotent
rage. The attacking party advanced
to within 10 yards Of their victim.
One last desperate effort and he dove
at the line. only to fail with
10 spears quivering in his body. But
In that brief moment he managed to
drag down one of the natives. his
claws sinking into the mans flesh.
The death OF the lion seemed [,
awaken all the fire in the warriors.
blood. They began "a dance of triumph
stained spears. some of which were
Dent by the force of the shock. hold |
ng their shields above their heads
ana shouting biood-curdling yells.
In the meantime the injured man
vas being given medical attention.
ana he bore the pain of his wounds
without sign of concern. He who /
1ad first jabbed his spear through the /,
ion Joined in the dance at the start, !
'ut soon retired. to distance, wher. |
he seated himself, apparently indif- /
ereht 10 the antics OF his fellows. /
De was now leader of men and /
must therefore not show signs that he !
lad done anything out of the ordI- |
nary.
kermits Luck.
Ihe luck of Kermit Roosevelt has +
been proserbiai. While Colonel Ronse- /
'elt was hunting with Lord Della |
mere. Kermit went with Il. h. Cole and /
his andeFerbo warriors. Tn. Wan I
iererbos are adopts at killing bongo,
shlch are rare and To be found only
u the forests. In u short space of !
line the younger Roosevelt, had OBJ /
aimed large and fine female bonsa
ma one young bongo. This was a
eat OF which any old hunter might !.
Justly be proud. for no white imam has
ver before stalked and shot a hansn.
There are only two cases ON record
u white man shooting bongo with
he aid of natives and their dogs. So
'leased Was one Of the residents here
With the success of the young hunter
nat he presented Kermit with Ii fine
pecimen of the male bongo anu 80
ne smithsonian Institution viii have il
ompiete family group. the only one