Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-28
CAUGHT BY A LION
Fearful Adventure With a South
African Man Eater.

II any one Is eager for adventure
hunting lions In their native iuneIes
will offer him abundant opportunity.
Major ]. Stevenson Hamilton in the
pages Of his book, Animal Life In
Africa" gives an account Of a terrible
experience that one OF his fellow ran
gers OF the Transvaal game reserve
had with a lion.
In August, 1903, he was returning
from months patrol to the OHfants
river and had arrived within two days
march OF the Sabi. He had pushed on
ahead OF his natives and pack donkeys
In order to reach the nearest police
picket before nightfan However. the
distance was greater than be thought,
and darkness found him still some
three miles from his destination, riding
along a path by the side OF a reed
bordered stream. accompanied only by
his big dog Bill.
As he rode through the dry bed OF
the creek, where the path crossed Il in
one OF its wtndings. he saw something
move out OF the reeds and melt away
into the darkness ahead. A few Yards
farther on the dog rushed forward.
barking. and again an indIstinct form
moved away. Surprising this to be a
buck OF some kind. the ranger rode on
without taking any special notice Of
the incident. but few minutes after
ward he suddenly saw the shape again,
this time apparently approaching.
He had scarcely time to reflect that
this was an odd performance for
reed buck when he became conscious
that II WINS no antelope, but lion In
the act OF crouching for a spring.
Pulling his horse sharp to the right
just as the lion rushed, he caused the
latter partially TO miss his mark, but
his claws tore down the horses quar-
ters. and the frightened animal. max
ing a terrified leap forward. shot its
rider over It's right shoulder straight
into the jaws OF a second lion. which
had been coming up from behind.
Horse. man and rife all went in diff
ferent directions. The horse made of
at full speed. followed by the first lion.
which in turn was pursued by the dog.
The man never touched the ground at
all, as the lion seemed to catch him in
midair.
The FIRST thing he realized was that
II was trotting OF with him down the
path. He was held firmly by the right
shoulder, and, lying on his back. his
face was on n level with the brute's
neck. while his legs were dragging
along under its belly.
1t was a desperate predicament. and
as soon as he was able 10 collect his
thoughts a little he began to wonder
whether he would be killed outright
or tortured first. he saw no hope of
escape. The pain he describes as
acute. which is contrary 10 the expert
ence OF Livingstone and others How
ever being a very cool headed man
and full OF grit he presently began TO
east about for some method OF saving
himself
The mind works quickly in such
cases, and suddenly he remembered his
sheathknife. an ordinary six inch
blade. which was carried in an open
leather case at the back of his belt
Reaching underneath himself with his
left hand. he discovered that the knife
-'''A AA'N '''A a'NAf o't BhAAAAAE II 'hlt hN
bent all his energy on holding Il tight
aud awaited favorable opportunity.
Fortune favors the brave. and the
rangers chance came when the lion.
after going with him about $50 yards.
laid him down under n small tree for
the purpose either OF shifting its grip
or Of commencing operations upon him.
Feeling very carefully behind the left
shoulder for what he Judged 20 be a
vital spot he struck couple OF back
handed blows with all his force. using
OF course. his left hand. II turned out
that each Of these strokes reached the
heart.
For what seemed hours. but was no
doubt only few seconds. man and
beast stood facing each other. the lat.
ter silent and the former. with some
hazy idea OF the power OF the human
voice. shouting out every abusive word
that rose 10 his tongue. The tension
was relieved by the lion turning anG
walking slowly away TO a spot some
thirty yards distant. where. after
swaying for n moment. It fell heavily
10 the ground. emitted a few groans
aud expired.