The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1914-02-13
UNDER A LEOPARD
And Just Within the Reach OF the
laws of Death.
COOL NERVE OF A BRAVE BOY

Courage, Presence of Mind and Lucky
Knife Thrust Put Him Out of Peril.
Curious Experience With Vicious
Man Eater In South Africa.
Bula 4 Taylor was one of the early
settlers II the South African country
that is now Matabeleand. He was
the Chartered company's right hand
man in those days. and the natives
.ied hi.n in wholesome respect More
than once he checked threatening dis
order almost single handed, and when
ever there was an uprising it was Bu-
lala WI took command of the white
forces But this is story Of Bulala
junior. his son, a stocky little chip of
the OLD block. 1t happened during one
Of th fathers absences in the field.
rhe - lngSter. left in charge of the
famil, commisSariat. spent two or
three evenings each week in hunting
and with invariabe success, for be
was crack shot. for all his youth.
One morning he was late-hours late.
His mother became anxious and sent
some ka!iirS out to take up his spoor.
little way out they met his horse
limping home. shivering and bleeding
from many wounds.
The little baas must be killed.
The kattirS We're off along the track
as fast as their feet would carry them.
They wanted to save the boys re-
mains before the lion could eat them.
They found the remains-of leopard
and Bulala junior was calmly skin
ming them. few feet away was the
torn carcass of "A freshly killed buck
In awe the Katfirs Squatted round
and with only the interjection of an
occasional "Aough,' OF admiration
listened to the man-chId's story.
"lnsimbe." said Buala junior. ad-
dressing himself to the oldest kaffir,
won see the little duykerbok. | killed
him. and he afterward saved my life.
| thought the box would be enough
meat for all Of us, and was slowly rid
ing home. The ground was stony and
the bush thick The sun made me
drowsy, and wasn't careful to look
about me The horse had to pick his
way. Just aS he turned that big bush
he almost ran over this leopard.
II don't know which was most sur
prised the horse or the leopard or l.
| The leopard tIsu no time TO turn back,
be just had to spring. Before my eyes
could open and close twice the leopard
was on my horses shoulders. trying to
get grip with his claws into the box
in front of me
The horse squealed and jumped,
my gun Jew out OF my hands. and
found myself lying on my back on the
ground The little box was lying
across my stomach and legs. and the
leopard was cIawing and biting him
franticallv / felt the blood from bis
body tricking through my shirt In
simbe, | was frightened.
From the corners of my eyes | saw
my rifle. but it was too far off to reach
| | just had to lie and play dead. Ii
moved muscle and the leopard saw il
| he would give me one blow and finish
me. Once or twice he looked up al
me. and through my half closed eyes
| saw the blood dripping from bis
! jaws. 1t was lucky he was SO hungry
"At last his hunger wore Oft. In
| simbe. He got to his feet. and came
| and smelled my face. Spots Of thick
blood dripped on to my cheeks Oh. In
| simbe. did you ever lie and let 8
snakes tongue lick your face: Ht
| breathed over me and smeIled me care
| fully. then. satisfied | was dead. wen
back to his meal.
For minutes which seemed Iik,
and as be became less hungry he be
| came more particular. Two or thre,
| times be changed his position and eacf
| time ! wanted To shout IN fear. If
could only get at my hunting knife
which | could feel in my belt: but
dared not move.
AT last the beast began to drag the
box off me in order TO get at its othe
side. As the box slipped off / moveC
with 1t as part OF it. And | graspeJ
| my knife. Even then | dared not ge
| up. | Just waited and waited. A
last chance came to make my on'
stab. | was desperate. and | took ii
The leopard stood up to stretch him
self aud looked away from me.
Il jumped to my feet and made ;
blind slash at his bind quarters. Thel
sprang away; not bit too sooI
either. See my shirt. lnsimbe?
He leaped on me and his fore paw
grazed me and threw me on my face
When 1 scrambled up again ant
reached my rife he had collapsed AM
was swapping and splitting like cat
My wild cut had hamstrung his nea
hind leg
He only sat and snapped for an in
stant though; then the pain and ange
made him mad and be rushed at me OF
three legs.
~ shot him. See how the hair |
singed raHnd the bullet hole, lnsimbe ?
YOUTHS Companion.