FIGHT WITH A LION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 201, 29 September 1909, Page 4

FIGHT WITH A LION.

AFIU'jaN KXPLOKKR SAYJfiI) UY A NATIVE, Tiic following story of a recent, encounter between a man and a lion is told by tlie victim, Mr. Marry Williams, the African explorer, who was severely injured, but who is now recovering: Nairobi, .July 1.

Mr. Selous and 1 had joined Air. AleMillan, but on June Bth I was out alone, having only my two gun-bearers with me, when 1 saw u lion 011 the right, about 300 yards away, lie was prowling along, and apparently did not notice me, hut I could see by the swish of hi* taii that he was an angry beast. 1 put up my hand as a signal to my head gun-bearer to come up with a spare title, .ami toget'her we worked closer and closer to the lion. The beast -eeineil to have no intention of stopping, so I vlrurk one hand oil the back of the oilier. The lion stopped and faced me, probably revolving the question of attack, whilst I, for my part, cogitated as to whether I should shoot or endeavour to get a bit closer. The lion scemcil lo decide upon retreat, for he turned suddenly and trotted away. I lired both barrels of my -1.50 at him, one shoi reaching him in the (lank, n was only a slight flesh wound, but it paralysed hiin for the moment, and he s:vi down 011 his haunehe*' like a dog. Alter a few minutes he got up and went inlo a bit of open bush. Nni Knowing what state the brute ight 1"' in. I made for a big open p:\lclt 011 my left front, hoping to get a better sight of him. The lion, liow"vrr. had been watching me from his retreat, and at 200 yards distance he sprang out of the bush and came straight for me at a terrific pace. I waited until he was within GO yards and then let him have both barrels. One shot misled him, but the other lodged in the Jliwhy part of his shoulder. The only effect was to infuriate him move than ever, and I now thought myself a dead man, for there was no time to reload, and the gun-bearer was not actually in reach with the other rifle. I turned and made for a bush at my right rear, hoping the beast woulj rush past me and give me time to reload; but it was hopeless, and turning slowly round, T stood my ground.

JN THIS LION'S JAWS. It was a terrifying sight—the brute's jaws already open to seize me by my left b'hoftder and breast —but with the courage born of despair I raised my rille in both hands and struck him across the side of the head. Almo.st simultaneously he ducked and seized me by the right leg, shaking me from side to !»'idi» as though I had been a rat. There is no need to describe what 1 felt at this moment. Suffice to tJay that my gun-bearer—the pluckiest creature, black or white—came up whilst the lion was actually mauling me, shoved the ride he carried down to me, and asking me to turn the safety catch. J had sufficient presence of mind to be able to explain in a second, and the gun-bearer lired. The lion left me and rushed into a bush five yards away, giving me time to put two cartridges m my rille whilst still on the ground. Kaisillg myself to fire, 1 saw that the lion was in the act of springing. 1 lire I off both barrels from my hip at his head, the "boy" firing at the same time, and the brnt.e rolled over dead. I fell back again, and for a few moments half swooned, for 1 had lost a lot of blood: but as soon as the second gun-bearer had come up (no gun with him), 1 sent him oil' to find camp and bring back some men to carry me in. With some dressing which I had in my cartridge bag I tried to staunch the bleeding, but could do very little in this' way. The muscles were torn open; an artery had , burst, and the wounds were everywhere so deep. For an hour J lay there, and then Intlf the camp turned up, and I was carried in on n bed. I shall never forget the agony of that journey. On reaehiiig camp Air. Selous and Air AlacAlillan dressed the wounds as welt as they could, but tliat night my temperature was over .105.

On the afternoon of the next daytho Otli—l loft camp witli a man—Jndd in charge of me and after throe dav»' travel by hand porterage, I got to Lindrajic. on the railway, and arrived at Xarobi on tlio 14th. 'My Jog seemed to be bursting all the time, and the blood was draining away. T would have given anything for s'ome morphia. On being brought into the hospital, however, I experienced the case and comfort which a fiiNt-elass doctor and skilful nursing wore nblo to afford, ihe Old Land.