Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1914-02-20

And lust Within the Reach Of the
laws of Death.
COOL NERVE OF A BRAVE BOY

Curious Experience With q Vicious
Man Eater In South Africa.
''Bulala" Taylor was one of the early
settlers in the South African country
that is now Matabeleland. He was
the Chartered company's right hand
man in those days, and the natives
held him 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 who took command of the white
forces. But this is story of Bulala
junior, his son, stocky little chip of
the old block. 1t happened during one
! OF the fathers absences in the field.
The youngster, left in charge of the
family commissariat, spent two or
three evenings each week in hunting
and with invariable success, for he
was 'crack" shot, for all his youth.
One morning he was late hours late.
His mother became anxious and sent
some Kafirs out to take up his spoor.
A little way out they met his horse
limping home, shivering and bleeding
from many wounds.
The little baas must be killed.
The Kafirs were 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 a leopard
and Bulala junior was calmly skin
ming them. A few feet away was the
torn carcass Of freshly killed buck.
In awe the Kafirs squatted round
and with only the interjection of an
occasional "Aough!" of admiration
listened to the man-child's story.
''Insimbe' said Bulala junior. ad-
dressing himself to the oldest Kafir.
you 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
81 don't know which was most sur
prised, the horse or the leopard or |.
The leopard had no time to turn back;
he just had to spring. Before my eyes
could open and close twice the leopard
was on my horses shoulders. trying to
get a grip with his claws into the box
in front of me-
1.-The horse squealed and jumped.
my gun few 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 clawing and biting him
frantically. l felt the blood from his
body trickling 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. If |
moved muscle and the leopard saw it
he would give me one blow and finish
me. Once or twice he looked up at
me, and through my half closed eyes
saw the blood dripping from his
jaws. 1t was lucky he was so hungry.
AT last his hunger wore off, In
simbe. He got to his feet. and came
I and smelled my face. Spots of thick
blood dripped on to my cheeks. Oh, In
simbe, did you ever lie and let a
snakes tongue lick your face? He
breathed over me and smelled me care,
fully. then. satisfied | was dead, went
back to his meal.
For minutes which seemed like
: hours the leopard tore and chewed
and as he became less hungry he be
} came more particular. Two or three
times he changed his position and each
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 it's other
side. AS the box slipped off moved
with it as part Of it. And | grasped
] my knife. Even. then | dared not get
. up l just waited and waited. AT
last chance came to make my one
stab. was desperate, and l took it.
The leopard stood up to stretch him
self and looked away from me.
JuIupSO W NY AcSI anu A0OG g
blind slash at his hind quarters. Then
sprang away; not bit too sOOn
either. See my shirt. Insimbe?
HE leaped on ME and his fore paws
graZed me and threw me on my face
When ! scrambled up again and
reached my rife he had collapsed and
was swapping and splitting like cat
. NV wild r.t,f bod no vasty.Ilyu hiS vnao '
hind leg.
He only sat and snapped for an in
slant though; then the pain and anger
e made him mad and he rushed at me on
three legs.
Il shot him See how the hair Ii
3 singed round the bullet hole, Insimbe !?
Youths Companion.
Explained at Last.