Northern Times. — 1857-08-06 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

TILE LION HUNTER.—MR. GORDON CUMMING'S ENTERTAINMENT.—This entertainment continues as attractive as ever at Clayton Hall. The following is a sample of the descriptions given by Mr. Cumming in his graphic account of his lion hunting in Southern Attica :-.Suddenly I observed a number of vultures standing on the plain, about a quarter of a mile ahead of us, and close behind them a huge lioness, consuming a blasbok which she had killed, assisted in her repast by about a dozen ofjackalls, that were feasting with her in the most friendly manner. Directing my followers' attention to the spot, I remarked, " I see the lion," to which they replied, " What ? whar ? Gal ! Almighty dat is he ;" and instantly reining in their steeds and wheeling about, they pressed their heels to their horses sides, and were preparing to betake themselves to flight. I asked them what they were going to dop to which they answered, "We have not'yet placed caps on our rifles." This was true ; but while this short conversation aas passing Lite lioness had observed M. Raising her full, round face, she overhauled us for a few seconds, and then set off at a smart canter towards a range of mountains some miles to the north ward ; the whole troop of jackalls also started off in another direction, and there was, therefore, no time to think of caps. The first move was to bring her to bay, and not a second to be lost, Spurring my good and lively steed, and shouting to my men to follow, I fl-ev across the plain, and being, fortunately, mounted on Colesbergh, the flower of my stud, gained upon her at every stride. This was to me a joyful moment, and I at once made up my mind that she or I must die. 'rise having had a long start of me, we went over a considerable extent of ground before I came up with her. She was a large, full-grown beast, and the bare and level nature of the plain added to her imposing appearance. Finding I gained upon her, she reduced her pace from a canter to a trot, carrying her tail stuck out behind her, and shied a little to one side. I shouted loudly to her to halt, as I wished to speak to her, upon which she suddenly pulled up, and seated on her haunches like a dog, with her back towards me, not even deigning to look around, appeared to say to herself, " does this fellow know who he is coming after ? " Having thus sat for half a minute, as it' involved in thought, she sprang to her feet, and facing about, stood looking at me for a few seconds, moving her tail slowly from side to side, showing her teeth, and growling fiercely; she next made a short run forwards, making a loud rumbling noise, like thunder. This she did to intimidate me ; but, finding that I did not flinch an inch, nor seemed to heed her hostile demonstrations, she quietly stretched out her massive arms, and lay down on the grass. My Hottentots now coming up, we all three dismounted, and drawing our rifiss froth their holsters, lookel to see if the powder was up in; the nipples, and put on our caps. While this was doing, the lioness sat up, and showed evident symptoms of uneasiness, looking first at us, and then behind her, as if to see if waste was clear ; after which, she again made a short run towards us, uttering her deepdrawn murderous growls. Having secured the three horses together by their roils, we led them on, as if we intended to pass her, in the hope of obtaining a broadside ; but this she carefully avoided to expose, presenting only her full front. I had given Stofolus my Moore rifts, with orders to shoot her if she should run upon me, but on no account to fire before me. Kleinboy was to stand ready to hand me my Purday, in case the two-grooved Dixon should not prove sufficient. My men as yet bad been steady, but now they were in a precious stew; their .faces assumed a ghastly paleness, and I had a painful I feKing that I could place no reliance on them. Now,