HOW DR LIVINGSTONE WAS BITTEN BY A LION. THE FLOGGING OF THE BRITISH CONSUL AT GUATEMALA.

Evening Star, Issue 3549, 8 July 1874, Page 3

HOW DR LIVINGSTONE WAS BITTEN BY A LION.

THE FLOGGING OF THE BRITISH CONSUL AT GUATEMALA.

The accompanying extract from Dr Livingstone’s ‘ Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa,’ published in 1857, will be read with interest, In giving an account of an attack on a troop of lions in tho village of Mabotsa, Dr Livingstone says In going roun l the end of the hill, however, I saw one of the beasts sitting on apiece of rock as before, but this time he had a little bush in front. Being about thirty yards off, I took a good aim at his body through the bush, and fired both barrels into it. The men then called out, ‘He is shot ! he is shot! ’ Others cried, *He has been shot by another man too ; let us go to him ! ’ I did not see anyone else shoot at him, hut I saw the lion’s tail erected in anger behind the bush, and, turning to the people, said, ‘ Stop a little till I load again.’ When in the act of ram-, ming down the bullets, 1 heard a shout. Starting, and looking half round, I saw the lion just in the act of springing upon me. I was upon a little height • he caught my shoulder as he sprang, and we both came to the ground below together. Growling horribly close to my ear, he shook me as a terrier dog does a rat. The shock produced a stupor similar to that which seems to be felt by a mouse after the first shake of the cat. It caused a sense of dreaminess in which there was no sense of pain nor feeling of terror, though I was quite conscious of all that was happening..lt was like what patients partially und.-r the influence of chloroform describe, who see all the operation, but fee! not the knife. This singular condition was nob the result of any mental process. The shake annihilated fear and allowed no sense of horror in looking round at the beast. I'his peculiar state is probably produced in all animals killed by the carnivora, and, if an, is a merciful provision by our benevolent Creator for lessening the pain of death. . . Besides crushing the bone into splinters, he left eleven teeth womdson the upper part of my arm. A wound from this. animal’s tooth resembles a gunshot wound; it is generally followed by a great deal of sloughing and discharge, and pains are felt in the part periodically ever afterwards. I had on a tartan jacket on the occasion, and I believe that it wiped off all the virus from the teeth that pierced the flesh, for my two companions in this affray—who were bitten, one in the thigh and the other on the shoulder—have both suffered from the peculiar pains, while I have escaped with only the inconvenience of a false joint in my limb. The man whose shoulder was wounded showed me his wound actually burst forth afresh in the same month of the foliowiae year. ’’ 6

A long account appears in the ‘Panama Star ’ and ‘ Herald ’ of the above transaction. Strong personal dislike is the only excuse alleged for the conduct of the Commandant in this brutal affair. Mr Magee, as H.B.M Vice-Consul, invoked the protection of his flag, but without effect. Mr James the Consular.Agent of the United States, then prepared a protest in the name of his Government, and under the Consular seal, protesting against the proceeding; and at 4 o clock, just as Magee was about to receive the lashes, he formally presented it; but the Commandant refused to receive it, and announced that he would net only flog Mr Magee, but would shoot him at 8 a m. the following day, and that he would then serve the representatives of the United States and every foreigner in a like manner. At this ooint the surgeon of the port begged that the Commandant would reconsider the matter, as 400 stripes was more than any mortal could bear, and would certainly kill Mr Magee. His reply, coupled with a vile epithet, was, “Let him die, then,” and he ordered the soldiers to commence. ' Mr Magee was then partially stripped and laid on the floor, three men being seated on his head and shoulders, four then upon his feet, while two held, each an arm, and the flogging commenced. ],t was continued by four soldiers relieving each other at every fifty lashes, the Commandant keeping the tally himself! By the time that 200 were administered Mr Magee became insensible. The order was then givvn to place him on a bed in an adjoining room, and let him revive, so that the other 200’might be administered in the morning before shooting him. During the night he was visited repeatedly by the Commandant, who placed the cold muzzle of bis revolver ready to discharge at his' temples during each visit, accompanying the act with such remarks as, “ Don’t you think you have lived long enough ?” “Wouldn’t you thank ipe to put you out of your misery?” I have ruined myself, and I’ll put you under the sands before I am,” &c. Prior to administering the flogging, the Commandant, fearing that assistance might be brought from the capital through the friends of Mr Magee, seized upon the telegraph, confined the operator, and placed a guard over the office. During the night, aid’ed by his soldiers, he broke into the business house of Mr Magee, and removed all the moneys and other valuables. It will be remembered that the Commandant was afterwards in his turn ordered to be first whipped and then shot.