A ROOSEVELT LION STORY

Southland Times, Issue 14370, 17 March 1910, Page 2

A ROOSEVELT LION STORY

Mr Roosevelt has always been so strenuous that the possession of humour has not been generally credited to him. Now, however, comes W. L>, Boyce, the Chicago publisher, with this story, which he says Mr Roosevelt told him a few weeks ago;— "1 was out hunting lions one day, accompanied by a large number of gunbearers," said Roosevelt. "We had a rather disappointing day altogether, and had become thoroughly discouraged as evening drew near. Returning to our camp, we were suddenly confronted by a huge lion, which stood directly in the path, with mane erect and slowly waving tail. At this terrifying sight my gunbearers turned and ran, leaving me without protection. I ran, too. With huge leaps the lion overtook us and sprang at me, who, being stout, was unable to run as fast as the others. I fell Hat, and the lion overshot his mark, going completely over and beyond me. I rose, and as he was about to spring again, ran quickly toward him and threw myself flat on the ground.' Again he leaped Over me. My gun-bearers had continued in their flight, and I was left to shift for myself. Each time as the lion sprang I repeated my former tactics, until the brute fell exhausted to the ground, and I made my escape. The next day, when wo were again on the trail. ,1 saw a huge lion performing strange antics through a glade in the jungle. lat once recognised the beast as the one responsible for my adventure of the night before. And what do you think he was doing? The creature was practising short jumps!"— Cleveland Leader.