The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1914-02-13
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.
"Bulaa" 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 Blu"
lala who took command of the white
forces. But this is a 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 Katfirs 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 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 intersection of an
occasional "Aough." of admiration
listened to the man-child's story.
"Insimbe." said Bulala junior, ad
dressing himself to the oldest Kaffir-
"you see the little duykerbok. l 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. aud | 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
Il 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 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. If
moved muscle and the leopard saw il
he would give me one blow and finish
f me. Once or twice he looked up al
me. and through my half closed eyes
| saw the blood dripping from his
5 jaws. 1t was lucky he was so hungry
AT last his hunger wore off. In
simbe. He got to his feet and cams
and smelled my face. Spots of thici
: blood dripped on to my cheeks. oh, In
simbe. did you ever lie and let {
-. snakes tongue lick your face? He
f breathed over me and smelled me care
l back to his meal.
For minutes which seemed lik'
hours the leopard tore and chewet
! and as he became less hungry he be
q came more particular Two or thre
times he changed his position and eacl
time ! wanted to shout in fear. If
G could only get at my hunting knife
which 1 could feel in my belt; but
y dared not move.
: AT last the beast began to drag tn
box off me in order to get at its othe
side AS the box slipped off | move
n with it as part of it. And l graspe
my knife. Even then ] dared not ge
Z up. | Just waited and waited. A
), last chance came to make my on
stab. ! was desperate. and | took il
The leopard stood up to stretch hin
). self and looked away from me.
e II jumped to my feet and made
blind slash at his hind quarters. The
II | sprang away; not a bit too 500
r either See my shirt lnsimbe?
, He leaped on me and his fore paw
grazed me and threw me on my face
When | scrambled up again an
reached my rifle he had collapsed an
~ was swapping and splitting like ca
ID My wild cut had hamstrung his nea
>. hind leg.
He only sat and snapped for an il
% slant though: then the pain and angt
made him mad and he rushed at me O
three legs.
ii Il shot him. See how the hair
* singed round the bullet hole, lnsimbe
&c Youths Companion.
-A1 EXPLAINED at Last.
lt "At YOUR age" said young Robert