HIS FIRST LION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 156, 30 December 1911, Page 9 (Supplement)

HIS FIRST LION.

FARMING UNDER DIFFICULTIES IN AFRICA. A gentleman residing in British East Africa has sent to one of his relatives living in Akaroa the following account of the "bagging'' of hia first lion:— "I had a great experience with my first lion. He had killed one of my largest oxen a few yards from a wire fence which they had stampeded through. I poisoned tho beast and dragged it up close to a shied, with a thatched roof, and intended sleeping there for the night, so that as soon as I heard him eating at the beast I could get up and have a shot at him. After supper I started out for the shed with my rifle, shotgun and lamp, never expecting ho would come till midnight, but to my surprise he met me about a hundred yards from the shed, and made such a terrible roaring, and leaping towards me, that I shook like a leaf and flew to a native hut. After a while I got courage and went out again, and two natives with me, all carrying lamps, and when half-way I fired a sihot to frighten him, but could hear nothing, and the boys said he had gone away down the river. Anyway, we got into the shed, and after having put everything ready I blew out the last lamp and waited. To my great surprise, in less than a minute the brute, who had been lying waiting for us all the time, made a spring straight at me, trying to get through the thin wall of tho shed. The boys at once dropped everything and ran for their lives and scrambled up a ladder I had made to run up in case of danger. I had matches in my pocket in case the natives lost their nerve, as I expected them to do, but I nearly lost mine. It took me several minutes to strike a match, my hand being so shaky, with the lion roaring and tearing at the bamboo rails, which I knew were not strong, as they were nailed from the inside instead of from tho outside. As soon as I #ot 'the match struck he rushed back and disappeared, and I packed up my blankets and cursed the boys for being such cowards in leaving me alone-. The next two nights were very dark and wet, but bis roaring was terrible, and I got up very early, hoping to find Irim dead from the'poison, but saw him running-into the thick forest quite strong and well. "I made up my mind to have him the next night, so made a stand right up on top of the roof and cut a hole through the thatch and dragged the dead ox up a bit closer to within fifteen yards of the shed. T sent to a neighbor. Mr. Abrahams, for some S.S.G. cartridges-, and he came over himself. We had supper before dark, and then waited again, he lying on the ground, listening for any sound through the grass, and I upon the stand with my shotgifn ready. It was as dark at pitch, and I was just going down to whisper down to Abrahams that it was impossible, to see anything from 1 up there, when, looking down on the ground, I saw a black spot about five yards away which I had not noticed before, and after looking at it hard for some time, I concluded it was a bunch of long grass, but just after it seemed to be closer, and then it moved up to the dead ox and started to pull it away. Then it came round sideways, and I thought, 'Now or never,' and I levelled the shotgun, although I could see neither sight nor barrel. I got it as straight as I could and let bang, and he rolled over the dead beast, and I knew he was badly wounded, for ho roared and roared away, and then nothing could be heard. Abrahams had not heard a sound till I fired. It was wonderful how such a great beast can move so softly, not making the slightest noise, even in parting the long grass. Our next trouble was to get out of the house, as there was great risk, so I shouted for the boys to come and see the big lion I had shot, and a number of tkem came in great glee bringing flaming sticks, and we knew we were safe to return to my dwelling-house. We could scarcely sleep with excitement and anxiety for morning to come to see what had happened. We found the lion lying there dead, about 15 yards from where I shot him."