The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-05-24
in captivity. It often happens

rassment. They died q
after short time in captivity. It often happens
this way.
A party Of US went out one Sunday after lions
and adopted the novel method of riding them
down on pony-back. We had not been out long
before we put UP" big tawny fellow and imme
diately gave chase. There were four of us in
the party and we soon rounded the lion up In
ine shape. While one Of us fired at him In the
open plain with revolver, wounding him badly
he came to bay, clawing up the earth in huge
patches with his claws and emitting terrifying
roars
We closed in upon him from all sides, having
much ado In getting our ponies to face the un-
usual situation. One man rode in close and fired
at him with revolver. The lion was wounded
mortally for the second time, but sprang saw
agely at him. and seized him by the leg. We
were Mortified to see the lion drag him on his
pony to the ground and rode forward to the res
cue. We killed the lion over his body and SO
saved his life, but unfortunately our efforts were
unayailing for, after living through an agony
Of torture for a week or more. he died from gan
creme poisoning.
That 1t the first and only case where the hunt
ers have suffered from this new and invigoratipg
y form of sport. It beats pig-stcking as an excit-
ing form Of sport and is infinitely more enervat
ing than shooting lions by approved methods of
hunting There Is something in the wild ride
and the attendant risk which is altogether fasci
mating and irresistible for most men who have
..
Quite number of lions have fallen victims
in the field as the result Of this new plan Of at
tack In fact, the game warden has no less than
four lions to his credit from this method of kill
ing alone to say nothing of the numbers which
have fallen to his rifle by the accepted form Of
Staying
was in the Sotk country one day, trailing
out to inspect detachment of my force. who
were on outpost duty. I was alone, about an
hours march ahead of my porters and escort and,
It being very hot. decided to sit and rest until
my caravan came up with me. saw large and
shady bush short distance from my trail and
decided that this would be very suitable spot
to rest went over to it and threw myself I'M
der its welcome shade Then took satisfy
ing drink from my water-buttle and filled my
pipe must have sat there for over an hour,
smoking and thinking of what should do when
reached London lfor my six months holiday.
which was within measurable distance.
/ thought Of no danger and smoked and built
castles in the air. In due course my porters
hove in sight and As they approached they began
to sing Justify. Suddenly from behind me some
thing big moved. There was an instant's swish
ing Of the grass and the cracking of twigs and
then, 10 and behold, big blackmaned lion bound
ed away from the other side Of the bushl l was
too astonished to fire and could only stare after
IT, open-mouthed with establishment.
do not know to this day what had really
happened, but I Suspect that the lion had been
asleep In the shade Uis the other side Of the bush
as unaware of my presence as was of his. 1t
was certainly remarhS ble experience and a
laughable one, although N. all conscience 1t
might have ended very diffelhntly. MY native
porters and servants were firmly convinced that
had the evil eye and therefore tina lion would not
attack me. Nothing could shake they faith in my
power over the king of beasts" If lAhad known
Of the proximity of this wonderfully Tine speei-
men. should certainly not have sat DOVE and
smoked SO unconcernedly beside the thorn-Lush.
At Muhoroni station in the Nyando valley,
near Lake Victoria, in the latter part Of 1904 I
was taking a stroll out from the camp when the
sun had cooled on in the evening. / knew that
no lions were ever seen in this vicinity and so
did not bother to take gun with me. My sport
ing little fox-terrier. "Micky Dooan.' kept me
company
turned my footsteps toward small stream
about mile and a half from the camp On ar
rival at the banks Of the almost dried-up river.
/ stood for while watching young reed buck
gamboling with its mother. Micky Doolan chased
imaginary rats with deep content. Suddenly the