DYING MAN FIGHTS A LION.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1922, Page 11

DYING MAN FIGHTS A LION.

A DOCTOR’S SACRIFICE. Records of big-game hunting do not contain a more stirring instance of devotion than the story of the death of Dr. Deridder, which has just taken place as the result of malaria in the African jungle. During the war Dr. Deridder rendered yeoman service in caring for Belgians who, after deportation to and repatriation from Germany/* were broken in health and often without means of paying for the necessary medical attention, of which they were greatly in need. Dr. Deridder went out to Ruanda, in the heart of the African jungle, to give the benefit of his expert knowledge to a Sultan whose eyesight was failing. During the trip, on which he was accompanied by his wife and child, the doctor did a considerable amount of big-game hunting, his “bags” including elephants, buffalo, leopards, lions and antelopes. In all these adventures he was seconded ably by his wife, who was an excellent shot.

The doctor was struck down by malaria, and was lying one day in his tent, being then but three days’ march from the main porterage route through the jungle. The previous evening the party had been surprised by a full-grown lion, which came prowling round their little camp, and which Mrs. Deridder wounded. The next day she went out to finish off the beast, accompanied by a native servant. Picking up the lion’s trail, she epored him to the thicket where he was lying licking his wounds. Before she could raise her rifle, however, the brute crouched and sprang. Leaping on to the native servant, the lion killed him with a grip on the throat, and then, wheeling swiftly round, sprang upon the w«-n»«n and knocked her down, lacerating her shoulder.

Whilst (this was taking place, Dr. Deridder, lying ill in his tent, became alarmed at the prolonged absence Qf his wife, and, despite his suffering and weakness, got up and, shivering with the fever, started out in search of her. Picking up the trail, he reached the spot in time to dispatch the lion before the worst could happen to his wife. He cared for her injuries, and returned with her to the camp; but he died a few days later, the sudden exposure and shock incidental to this last shooting expedition having been *he means of hastening his end