Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1914-02-19
UNDER A LEOPARD
And lust Within the Reach OF the
Jaws 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.


Curious Experience With Vicious
Man Eater In South Africa.
"BuIala" Taylor was one of the early
settlers in the South African country
that is now Matabeeland. 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 ii 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 cornmissariat, spent two or
three evenings each week in hunting
and WITH invariable success. for he
was a "crack" shot. for all his youth
/ One morning he was late-hours late.
| His mother became anxious and sent
some Kaffirs out to take up his spoor.
| limping home. shivering and bleeding
| from many wounds
The little baas must be killed.
The Kaffirs 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 leopard
and Bulala junior was calmly skin
| ming them. A few feet away was the
torn carcass of freshly killed buck.
In awe the Kaffirs squatted round
and with only the interjection of an
| occasional "Aough.'' of admiration
listened to the man-chid's story.
"Insimbe." said Bulala junior, adj
dressing himself to the Oldest Kaffir.
"you see the little duykerbok. | killed
him. aud 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 |.
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.
''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. | felt the blood from his
body trickling through my shirt. In
simbe, l 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 a muscle and the leopard saw 1t
he would give me one blow aud finish
me. Once or twice he looked up at
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 off. In
simbe. He got to his feet. and came
and smeled 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 faceY 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 its other
side. As the box slipped off | moved
with 1t as part Of it. And | grasped
my knife. Even then dared not get
up. | just waited and waited At
last chance came to make my one
stab. | was desperate. and / took IL.
The leopard stood up TO stretch him
800 tiAh l'NNth away liNiI ults
Il jumped 70 my feet and made
blind slash az 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 J scrambled up again and
reached my rifle he had collapsed and
was swapping and splitting like cat
My wild cut bad hamstrung his near
hind lee.
He only sat and snapped for an in
slant though; then the pain and anger
made him mad and he rushed M me on
three legs
- shot him. See bow The 8air is
singed round the bullet hole. lnsimbey'
Youths Companion
ENnlsined at Last
"At your age said young Roberts
father ~ was compelled 10 wslt and