PRIEST’S EPIC BATTLE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 21 December 1925, Page 8

PRIEST’S EPIC BATTLE.

HOLDS LEOPARD AT BAY. TERRIBLY INJURED IN STRUGGLE To hold; a savage leopard at bay for a, quarter of an hour and 1 suffer two broken arms in a fight for life was the terrifying experience of a Roman Catholic brother, a man. well over 70 years of age, attached to the Jesuit Order (says the Capetown correspondent of the Christchurch Star). As a result, of thq desperate struggle, in which lie, suffered terrible lacerations, the victim is now lying in hospital at Salisbury. (Rhodesia). The combat occurred, on the Low Veld about SO miles from, the Monte Casino Mission Station in the Rusape district. Brother Zaeliariah was sent out from the mission to build a school for natives in a remote part of the. district. •While they were engaged in the building operations the natives complained that leopards were ravaging their small stock. Brother Zaeliariah determined to put a stop to these, depredations, and killing a goat he poisoned the carcase, leaving it in a spot favoured by the nightly visitors. Early on the following morning he went to l vieiv the carcase, and disturbed a huge; leopard at the. feast. Brother Zaeliariah was entirely unarmed and beat a hasty retreat, but before he had gone many yards the leopard attacked him.. Brother Zaeliariah; turned, and, as the beast sprang, lie seized it with his right hand in the throat and held off its : front ’legs with his left hand. Meanwhile he called lustily for help, but apparently his cries were not heard by the natives. Tie., however, held on, despite a severe clawing on the back, but gradually lie weakened and then liis right arm broke, at the elbow. The plucky old man at once changed, grips, seizing the leopard’s throat with the left hand, liis riglitl now being useless. The leopard ( rvas getting the masterv, and, although unable tO' nsei its teeth at first, with its claws; it tore the flesh to ribbons on the priest’s shoulders. Brother Zaeliariah continued his calls for help, but before assistance came the leopard seized with its teeth his right biceps and tore tlie muscles, from the arm. The unfortunate old man was unable to stand up to such an unequal fight, and was pressed down to liis knees, still holding the beast-by the throat. At that moment a native armed with an axe. rushed up, and .just as Brother Zaeliariah ’& left arm broke at the elbow the native finished the struggle by splitting the leopard’s skull in two. The animal rolled over dead, and the terribly mutilated victim collapsed unconscious. / The natives rendered wliat assistance they could, while one lefti for the mission, 80 miles away. He was two days on the journey, but on the third day two Sisters from the mission arrived, and, having dressed the injured man s Abounds, took him with all speed to Rusape, where they caught the train, and Brother * Zaeliariah was taken t*o the 'Salisbury Hospital. Although past the allotted span or life. Brother Zachariah possesses wonderful physical strength and stamina, and it is hoped and believed that, despite liis terrible injuries, lie will recover.