LIONS IN THE TRENCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 61, 11 March 1916, Page 17

LIONS IN THE TRENCHES.

INCIDENT AT AFRICAN POST. ■An account has been received from Central Africa of a thrilling Incident that occurred Iα November, when a number of lions visited the trenches at a British post on the German East tAfrlca frontier. On November 1 the lions appeared on tue scene, and with great during got into a kraal rontalning a number of animals for food for the garrison, which was very near to one of the British pickets. Here the animals succeeded in killing 40 sheep ana goats. Next evening a gun was set, and at seven o'clock lions again appeared. The gun was heard to go off, and on investigation n full-grown cub was found dead, but there was no sign of any more animals. lAgaio the gun wae charged, although it was not thought likely . that the lions would venture to return the same night. They did come back, however, and this time successfully avoided the gun and got the remainder of the prey that they had previously left.

Although the intruders were distinctly heard by the sentries, the night wae so dark and rainy that nothing could be done, and once more they got away. On the following night, a trap having been cut and covered over, a number of officers watched In the trenches. Three-quarters of an hour later a shot, -which sounded like a good hit, rang out. but. as nothing happened, the party remained on wate'a until after midnight. Next morning a fine big lioness was found not 30 yards away. It seems that one of the officers in the trenches had thought be saw a Uon, and fired, whereupon the animal sprang forward and landed on the top of the trench itself. Luckily this was strong, and as nothing more wae heard it was believed in the darkness tnat the animal had made off.