Year: 1860

From Cummings Hunting Adventures.

 On the 29th we arrived at a small village of Bakalaharl. These natives told me that ele- plants were abundant on the opposite side of the river. l accordingly resolved to stop here and hunt, and drew my wagons up on the river bank, within thirty yards of the water, and about one hundred yards from the native viii lagc. Having outspanned, We at once set about making for the cattle kraal of the worst description of thorn trees. Of this 1 had now become very particular, since my severe loss by lyons on the first of this month and my cattle were, at night, secured by strong kraal, which enclosed my two wagons, the horses being made fast to d trek-tow stretched between the hind wheels of the wagons. I had yet, however, fearful lesson to learn as to the nature and character of the lion, of which 1 had at one time entertained so little fear; and on this night a fearful tragedy was to be acted in my little lonely camp or so very awful and appalling q nature as to make the blood curdle Tn our veins. ] worked till near sundown at one side of the kraa with Hen dric, my first wagOn-driver-l cutting down the trees with my axe and he dragging them to the kraal. When the kraal for the cattle Was finished, turned my attention to making pot of barley broth, and lighted fire be- tween the wagons and the water, close on the river bank, under a dense grove of shady trees, making no sort of a kraal around our sitting place for the evening.

 The Hottentots, without any reason, made their fire about fifty yards from mine; they, according to their usual custom, being satisfied with the shelter of large dense bush. The evening passed away chcerfully. Soon after it was dark we heard elephants breaking the trees in the forest across the river, and once or twice 1 strode away into the darkness some distance from the freside to stand and listen to them. little, at that moment, dreamed of the imminent peril to which was exposing my life, nor thought that bloodthirsty man. eater lion was crouching near, and only watch ing his opportunity to spring into the kraal, and consign one of us to most horrible death About three hours after the sun went down I called to my men to come and take their coffee and supper, which was ready for them at my fire; and after supper three of them returned before their comrades to their own freside, and lay down; these were John Stofolus, Hendric and Ruyter. Ina few min utes an OK came out by the gate of the kraal, and walked round the back of 1t. Hendric got up and drove him back in again, and then went back to his freside and lay down. Hen dric and Ruyter lay on one side of the fire un- der one blanket, and John Stofolus lay on the other. At this moment 1 was taking some barley broth our fire was very small, and the night was pitch-dark and windy. Owing to our proximity to the native village, the wood was very scarce, the Bakalahari having burned it all in their fires.

 Suddenly the appalling and murderous voice of an angry, bloodthirsty lion burst upon my ear, within few yards of us, follow ed by the shrieking of the Hottentots. Again and again the murderous roar of attack was repeated. We heard John and Ruyter shriek, The lion the lion" Still, for a few mo- ments, we thought he was but chasing one of the dogs round the kraal but, next instant, John Stofolus rushed into the midst of us al- most speeches. with fear and terror, his eyes bursting from their sockets, and shrieked out, "The lion the lion p He has got Hendric; he dragged him away from the fire beside me. I struck him with the burning brands upon his head, but he would not let go bis hold. Hendric is dead Oh God Hendrici is dead ] Let us take fire and seek him" The rest of my people rushed about, shrieking and yell ing as if they were mad. l was at once angry with them for their folly, and told them that if they did not stand still and keep quiet the lion would have another of us and that very likely there was troop of them. ordered the dogs, which were nearly all fast, to be made loose, and the fire to be increased as tar as could be. then shouted Hendric's name,