DESPERATE ENCOUNTER WITH AN AMERICAN LION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 395, 19 August 1869, Page 2

DESPERATE ENCOUNTER WITH AN AMERICAN LION.

One evening (writes a Mr Colenian), while riding through my farm, I was hailed by a " freedwoman, who, in an excited manner, stated that she had seen a bear, as big. as a cow, up in a tree down in the woods. Know-, ing from the woman's excited manner that she had seen something unusual, I went to the house, got ray long Spencer rifle, to9k my ostler a'ong, giving him my shot-gun, heavily charged with buck shot, and with, no v little persuasion, induced the woman to go ' with us to point out the spot where she.badseen the object of her fright. About a half ' mile from her residence she stopped and pointed out a leaning tree, about four hundred yards distant from us, in which she said the animal was lying, apparently asleep. I advanced a short distance, and discovered a monster animal lying among the limbs of two large trees that had fallen together, somewhat in a cone shape, interweaving the boughs of one with the other. He was evidently fast asleep. I went up within forty yards, carefully surveyed the spot, and arranged the plan of attack. I whispered to my boy to stay as close behind me as he possibly could, and to hold the shot-gun bo aa to hand it to me for use in close combat, as we were about to encounter the largest species of ' American lion, and that he would certainly prove a formidable enemy. I cautioned the boy not to Bhoot unless I became disabled, or in the event of being separated from him. This arranged, I advanced a few steps arid fired deliberately, sending a ball through the centre of the body, bringing the slumbers of the noble animal to a premature close. He awoke enraged, roared, tore the trees with his teeth and claws, and on seeing me prepared to spring towards me. I fired again, hitting him in the breast, which shortened his leap, although he struck the ground within thirty feet of me. My large dog, a white English mastiff, at a signal from me rushed to meet the lion — made a good effort to hold him, but was tossed through the air some thirty feet. Being good game he again rushed to the attack : I, advancing at the same time with cocked gun in hand, wishing to thrust the gun barrel into his mouth and shoot him internally. He rushed at me a few leaps. I knew I must be_ resolute— I was so almost to desperation. I caught his fiery eye — he quailed— his eye was riveted upon me. I still advanced; he stopped, lowered his tail, turned and fled. My dog, though crippled, . still pursued him about 200 yards through the woods. I followed as fast as I could. The lion jumped upon the first limbs of a large tree, fully fifteen feet from the ground. I advanced to within forty yards, and again opened fire upon him, shooting six Minnie balls clear through his body in different direc- . tions. I had only one more ball left, which I Bhot while he was leaping about in the tree. This took effect in his right fore-foot, which' infuriated him more than ever. He beat the air with his wounded foot, roared, tore the bark from the tree, and started at me furiously. My boy was standing about 50 yards from me. I called to him to bring my gun; but, being frightened, he put' the gun down and' ran off. I ran to the gun as fast as I could, the lion pursuing by jumping from tree to tree, and when I reached the gun he was leaping into the one nearly over me; and by the time I was ready to fire he had come over me, and made a spring at me. In an instant I aimed deliberately, knowing if I missed my end had come. -I fired, giving him twelve buckshot in the region of the heart. I saw

he "was mortally wounded, but able to hurt me. I threw my gun down, drew my knife, and stepped back a few paces. He struck the spot upon which I stood when I last fired, reared up, and made a spring at me. I avoided his first, but could not escape the lecond. He succeeded in laying hold upon my arm with his mouth, and had his forelegs [Around my waist, leaving me the use of my right arm; and I assure you I made quick and good use of it, for in an instant I would have been torn to pieces; and,. with all tbi strength and celerity that a knowledge of the imminence of my danger could impart to my arm, I cut his throat from one side to the other. The blood flew all over my face. He fell backward, perfectly dead ; and I felt i sensations of relief that I had never experienced before. I had him conveyed home, and kept him on exhibition for several days.