A LION STORY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 257, 3 November 1906, Page 13

A LION STORY.

Ten years ago, says a writer on East Africa in the "Monthly Review," befors the arrival of tlie railway and the sportsman, the natives were decimated by lions; it was impossible, in some districts, to secure mail carriers. Appalling stories are still related of the fearless ferouiiy of these beasts. I record one walcii is pernupa tiie most remarkable of these, and of unquestioned authenticity. The riilway was building at Klu, several coolies had been carried of by an ola lion, and one night Mr Ryall, an English engineer, who had seen much service in. iudia, decided to sit up in a railway cavriage on the chance of getting a shot* "Wlta him were Mr Huebuer, the German Consul, and an Italian, Mr Parenti. The night was dark, with but little moon, auri after midnight, Mr Ryall commented upon the brightness of the fireflies near the carriage, and also remarked that he had seen a rat repeatedly cross and recross a spot where the steel rail glinted in the moonlight. The recognition would have saved Mr Ityall's life that the supposed fireflies were the luminous eyes of the lion he waited for. ! and the rat was the slow movement of his tail. Tired of their vigil, towards tlie morning, the three watciiers went te sleep, Mr Huebner on the upppr berth, "■he two others below. The carriage was the ordinary sleeping carriage fjuu.iiar to Indian travellers with a lavatory beyona the couches. An hour hud passed, the party were asleep, when the lion jumped into the- carriage and seized Mr Kyall. while in a moment Mr Parenti h;ul s.ippeo into the lavatory and closed the r!o;.r The movements of tlie lion, or siiora probably his weight: thrown on on fc side, caused the door by which he hat! entered to slide to, thus Mr Huebner's experience was most terrible; for him no eseuDe was possible; tfio rifles were below, and on the, upper berth ihe remained- while the lion killed Mr Ryall within three feet of him After a few awful minutes the er«»at bpW jumped out tfirongh the• iwindow $«?«£ body at Mr JRyall in itg mseth, -