THRILLING LION HUNT

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3713, 5 October 1926, Page 2

THRILLING LION HUNT

( FIGHT WITH FIVE BEASTS | NATIVES' GREAT ONSLAUGHT TOLL OF THE ASSEGAI. 1 It can have fallen to the lot of few people in South Africa to-day to have witnessed such a thrilling lion hunt as that which is described by a tady writer, “ Heather Grey,” in the ‘ Cape Argus.’ She tells the story of what happened one night when live lions left the Sabie Game Reserve and went prowling around a quiet farm. The story runs as follows: The homestead is within seven miles of the Crocodile River, in the Eastern Transvaal; the Great Sabin. Reserve is just across tbc river—it is i’UO miles in length, with a breadth of fifty miles, the Crocodile forming the sole boundary. The reserve is crowded with the fauna of South Africa, from the lordly lion down to the sneaky jackal, and sitting out on our verandah we could, just after sunset, hear the yelps of the latter mingling with the surly snarl of the leopard. Both predatory beasts had risen from their day sleep and wore out for prey.

We could not distinguish any roars—the king of beasts dwelt further in the reserve, though ho frequently crossed tlie river, when tides wore low, and selected his supper at the camps Irom the fattest and best. It happened not long ago that owing to drought the river had considerably shrunk, and tbo boulders, now exposed to view, formed convenient stepping-stones for a lion seeking what he might devour. Five of them stepped over dry-foot one night. Having reached our side of (he river, they lost no time in making for tho homestead.

The night was still and very dark, hut, guided by the Hair of the mules, they marched on, a fine and formidable bunch, until they reached the concertina gate barring their further progress. There they squatted on their haunches and held a silent indaba—too cunning to spread a warning where they were planning an attack. Slowly the moments crept on, heavy with the scent of tropical growths oiT tree and bush; the silence was so dense that it seemed like a reflex ol night hanging over the scene. The lions had come far, and were doubtless breathing heavily ; tho gate was too far front the homestead for any of us to ho forewarned.

LIONS LEAPING THE GATE. The indaba did not last long; a luingrv beast of prey is eager and impatient. Presently, as we afterwards ascertained from the spoors and wisps of mane, the animals tried to scratch the gate open. Having failed in their attempt, they hurdled. It must have been a fine sight to see five full-grown, magnificent lions leaping over a gate. They evidently took it at a roar, for what happened next was the flight of the camp toward the house for protection. Silence no longer held the air. Oxen rushed bellowing, horses neighing, mules screeching, cows lowing, dogs barking—pandemonium reigned. It did not take us long to realise what was happening. “Lions!” we shouted to one another. The men tumbled out in pyjamas, seizing their rifles and loading; women and children clung to each other, and sobbed in fright, but by this time the assegaied crowd of savage natives were on the warpath. The aboriginal ,is by no means a coward; when lions promise sport he is intrepid, fearless, a demon for bravery. The demtmry of their shouts was appalling. Most of the middle-aged and elderly men had, in their time, faced and fought and felled the king of beasts. Indeed, one old native on the place carried the proud title of “ Bulnla Ngnamyamini ” —the slayer of lions. It is therefore to be supposed that a chance of having a “ go ” at five superb beasts would he allowed to escape without much yelling, pursuit, brandishing of spears, and acclamations.

A WHOLE TRIBE “OUT TO KILL.” The whole tribe, armed and exultant, were but to kill. The night was still dark, and it required good sight to discern anything that was moving or crouching in that darkness; but, guided by the natives, some of the men went cautiously forth, and one was able to locate at least two of the beasts, which, lie shot. Meanwhile three other lions were at large, and here again a war of wits and of cunning, man versus beast. The blood-thirsty beasts, which had evidently succeeded in felling and halfdevouring no fewer than seven of the mules—they have a predilection for the fish of mules—were now disturbed while eating. Anger and disappointment, added to apprehension, quickened their natural ferocity, and a great, battle raged, during which every native, dexterous enough to find his quarry in the dark, got in his stabs and dabs, it being a point of honor among them that a man ‘Should leave the imprint of his assegai on skin of his foe.

The lions, partly gorged and weakened by loss of blood, startled by the terrific onslaughts of a ‘frenzied mob, now thought it prudent to heat a retreat. But they were cut off in every direction by pursuers, barring their escape. Tormented by the sting of steel weapons sharpened to such uses, and specially unnerved by the fierce tumult of human voices, to which 'they were unaccustomed, the animals began to slacken pace, and it did not take long for the natives to perceive these signs of disorganisation. The beasts, reduced to three, kept together and jogged along side by side. ONLY ONE LION ESCAPES.

A lioti is not a good runner, and liis pursuers were aware of this, and they kept the three on the trot until apparently thoroughly exhausted by their untoward experiences, and the unexpected failure of their’ foraging expedition, they lost heart and turned wherever the spears drove. Two out of their number were slain by daggers and assegais, the third escaped, and is doubtless still roving the reserve. It is to be hilerred, however, that he will never return to this particular hunting ground be the Hair of the mule ever so enticing.

“ Children.” said a teacher. “ he diligent and steadfast, and you will succeed. Take the case of George* Washington. Do you remember my telling you of the great difficulty George Washington liad to contend with!-*” “Yes, ma’am.” said a little hoy. “ He couldn’t 101 l a lie.”