The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-10-21
tnuI Kruger 90 a Cowboy.

nanul Kruge, 90 a Cowboy.
|Harpers.
On one occasion he ran a foot race
| against the pick OF the Kafhr chiefs.
| There were large prizes Of good cattle.
It was a long whole days run across
! country, past certain well known land
marks-amongst others his father's
house. Young Kruger soon distanced
all his pursuers. and when he c
his fathers he was 80 far ahead hat
he went in and had some coffee. His
father, however, was 30 an
cry with him for running across
country without his rifle that he very
near gave his son q fogging. But he
made the boy take a light rifle with him
| when he left to finish his race.
On sped young Kruger. the Kaf1r
braves toiling after him I'D well as they
| could. They threw away their impedt-
ments AZ their muscles weakened; their
| path became strewn with shields.
spears, clubs. and even the bangles they
wore on their legs and arms. But. in
spite Of It all, Paul Kruger kept far
ahead Of them; and as the day waned
| he found himself 90 completely master
Of the situation that he commenced to
look about for an antelope which he
might bring into camp by way Of re-
plenishing the larder.
He saw through the tall grass a patch
! of color, which made him think that 1t
belonged to a buck taking his ease. He
aimed and pulled the trigger, but the
gun missed fire; and Instead of an ante
lope. there bounded UP a huge lion. who
had been disturbed by the sound. The
two faced each other, the lion glaring at
Kruger, and he returning that glare by
the steady gaze Of his fearless eyes. The
lion retreated a few steps. and Kruger
made as many steps forward; then Kru-
ger commenced slowly taking n step
backward, followed by a second, and
then a third. But the lion followed ev-
cry move OF Kruger, always keeping the
same distance. This work was getting
to be very wearing, not to say danger
Gus, particularly so as darkness was
coming on and no sign Of relief. Slowly
and cautiously Kruger prepared his
musket for a second shot. He raised,
aimed and pulled the trigger, but again
there was only the snap OF the cap, and
kruger saws himself face to face with q
lion, n no weapon but the stock OF a
useless rifle. The last snap Of the lock-
had so Infatuated the wild beast that he
made a spring into the air and landed
close to Kruger's feet-so close, indeed,
that the earth was thrown up into his
fact, and he expected to be in the ami
mails grasp. He raised his gun to deal
the animal a blow, but at this the Lion
retreated, Glanclng sullenly over his
shoulder, until he was about fifty yards
away; then, as though by a sudden i'm
pulse, the beast broke into a furious gall
lop and disappeared over the next hill.
Kruger joyfully resumed his race, and,
IN spite OF all that happened, easily car
lried on the prize from the Kaff1r chiefs.
Kruger had no equal as q runner. He
was also famous for his skill with the
rifle. SIndeed. he would have challenged
the best OF Buffalo Bills outfit and given
a good account Of himself. An old friend
.of Kruger told me. of his w knowl-
edge, that Kruger was once on horse
Iback ana chased by an Infatuated buf-
'falo.' His horse was a god one, but ON
this occasion had become rather IA
tigued. and the buffalo commenced to
gain. The unequal chase promised to
END disastrously tor the horse and it's
rider. for h buffalo kept gaining and
would o have its horns in action.
lIhen Kruger performed a feat which
his old friend recalled TO me with great
pride. He turned in his saddle, raised
his rine. took deliberate aim while his
own horse was In full gallop, fred, and
n buffalo fell. shot straight through
the forehead.
But Kruger himself never lets n
suspect that he has done these things;
and to look at him in church one would
think that he had been trained for the
post OF deacon o. church warden.
Another story, equally strange, was
told mo by the same friend 1t hap
pened on the same day on which the
previous adventure occurred He had
been chasing another buffalo, and his
horse had brought him close I'D to his
VICTIM. Suddenly the huge beast put
his foot into a hole. and fell head over
heels into a wallow. Kruger was on top
OF It In a moment, horse and rider and
! s:s:ts.se rolling Peu Hleii in the am big
puddle. But KruBger was the first to
collect his wits. He sprang at the head
OF n buffalo. seized both its horns In
his hands and, while the beast lay upon
Its side, twisted Its neck so as to force
It's s under water; and thus, after a.
NNN S1ACC1 SllS1lRLn. KRUGER
kllled the buffalo by drowning It I
mad heard this story already in Cape
IoWn, but would not believe it until I
mad the presidents co~1roboration Of
this extraordinary feat.
It was a superior horse which Kruger
rod IN Chose days. but, like many
ether excellent animal, looked rather
vnpromising. Two famous elephant
hunters went out with him once. and
arranged that as they had the best
'nags they should vide ahead and turn
the elephants head, while Kruger on
his inferior mount should come along
as we'll as he could.
When they sighted their first elephant
the two well mounted hunters snrang
away and gave valiant chase. At frat
they heard nothing Of Kruger. and