Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-01-04
BYA L|oN|
Fearful Adventure With a South
African Man Eater. &
FLUNG RIGHT INTO IT'S Jaws.
Ordeal Of T~rapsyaai Ranger. Whs
Was Pitched Over His hesss's Head
Only 70 u dr;ppsd In Midair by the
SAVAGE Druts-Ths Dramatic Finish.

WHY = ~ NVsPPOo w "sVosV " WV
Savage Druts-Ths Dramatic Finish.
II any one is eager for adventure.
hunting lions in their native jnngies
will offer hEn abundant opportunity.
Major J. Stevenson Hamilton in the
pages OF his book, animal Life In
Africa" gives an account OF q terrible
experience that n Of his fellow ram
gers Of the Transvaal game reserve
had with a lion. ,fttf atl
. Ia August, 1903, he al returning
from a months patrol to the Olifants
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 nightfali. However, the
distance was greater than he thought,
and darkness found him still some
three miles from bis destination. riding
along a path by the side OF a reed
bOrdered stream. accompanied only by
his big dog Bill.
AS be rode through the dry bed of
tho creek. where the patti, crossed it In
one Of its windings. he saw something
move out Of the reeds and melt away
into the darkness aheads A few yards
farther onpthef dog rushed forward.
barking, and again an; indistlnct form
moved away. Supposing this to be a
buck Of some kind, the ranger rode on
without taking any special notice OF
tho incident, but a 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 a
reed buck when he became conscious
that It was no antelope. but a lion in
tho 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-
tiers, and tile frightened animal, max
ing a terrified leap forward. shot it's
rider over its right shoulder straight
into the Jaws of a second lion, which
had been coming up from behind.
Horse, man and ride all went in dit
fcrent objections. The horse made OF
at full speed. followed by the first lion.
which in turn was pursued by the dos.
The man never touched the ground at
all. as the lion seemed to catch him in
midair. @ st2AfF 12 st' 49,
The first thing he realized was that
it was trotting off with him down the
path. He was held firmly by the! right
shoulder. and. lying on his back, his
face was on a level with the brute's
neck. while his legs were dragging
along under its belly.
1t was a desperate predicament, and
as soon rs he was able to collect his
thoughts a little he began to wonder
whether be would be killed outright
or tortured first. He saw no hope Of
escape. The pain he describes as
acute, which Is contrary to 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 s0me method Of saving
himself. % s@& 49,
/ The mind works quickly in such
cases, and suddenly he remembered his
s~heathknife. 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. be discovered that the knife
had not been lost, so, pulling it out, he
bent all his energy o. holding it tight
and awaited a 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 q. 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 to be a
vital spot. he, struck a, couple Of back
handed blows with all his force. using,
Of course, his left hand. 1t turned out
that each Of these strokes reacheds the
heart. f3e5 !fts IL
For what seemed hours, but was no
doubt only a 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 to his tongue. The tension
was: relieved by the Hon turning and
walking slowly. away. Ia. O. spot. some
thirty yards distant, where, after
swqyfng for a moment. 1t fell heavily
to the ground, emitted q few groans
aud expired.