LIONS TERRIBLE CHARGE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12726, 13 April 1911, Page 8

LIONS TERRIBLE CHARGE.

HOW MR. GEORGE GREY WAS KILLED.

" LIKE A DOG WORRYING A

RAT."

The following description is given say the " East African Standard," Mombasa, of the lion hunt which resulted, as cabled on February 5, in the death of Mr. George Grey, brother of Sir Edward Grey; British Foreign Secretary : -—" The ostrich v camp near Sir Alfred Pease's homestead, Athi River, had been worried by lions, and a party'was organised, consisted of Sir Alfred Pease, Messrs G. Grey, Howard, and Edward Pease, Captain Slatter,-JVIr.. Clifford, and Mr. H. H. HuV The hunt started on Sunday morning, January 29.

" xVfter half-an-hour's ride, in drawing a donga, Mr. Hill espied two big male lions half a mile 'to the right. He and Sir Alfred galloped after them, endeavouring to keep them in sight. Sir Alfred followed the bigger and Mr. Hill the leader, some 500 yards on his left. The object Mas to turn the game into a donga, giving time for the resu of the party to come up, hoping that Mr. Grey would be given an opportunity to open the shooting. Unfortunately, the others had no opportunity of learning the tactics agreed upon by Sir Alfred and Mr. Hill. ~'

"' Mr. Grey put his horse to. the gallop and started to course the brutes. His companions . were alarmed at his temerity, and endeavoured to warn him. of the terrible danger he was courting. They were dotibly alarmed on seeing one of the lions preparing to charge him, Mr. Hill thereupon dismounted and fired'a "quick shot at the biggest lion, in the hope of attracting him from Mr. Grey. The ballet fell short, and the lion charged Mr. Grey, who jumped off his pony and awaited the onslaught. At 20 yards he fired/ and the shot went into the shoulder, but without stopping the charge. He got in another shot at five yards, hitting the lion in the mouth, breaking two of his fangs, aud injuiing his jaw. The lion flung Grey to the ground and commenced to worry him like a dog would a rat. Mr. H. Pease had followed Mr. Grey, and the party waved to him to come up on th& flank. They covered the 300 yards between them and the: lion at top speed. When 50 yards off, the lion noticed his fresh antagonists, and ceased to maul Mr. Grey. At 25 yards the party dismounted and ran in. The beast made towards them, :.uid at this moment Mr. Hill's rifle jammed. Almost simultaneously Sir Alfred Pease and Mr. PI. Pease fired, and the balls entered the lion's ribs. The thlice-wounded animal then returned to his victim.

" The horrified" relief party scarcely remember what happened during the next brief moments, further than that the lion was' on top of Grey, and animal and man were so mixed up it was most difficult to .distinguish -the former's head from the latter's body, in order to get in a deadly head shot, which it was found impossible to place until the lion was almost lifeless. During the fray the other lion was distant about 100 yards,, growling ana lashing his tail. The hunters, who had only 2.256 rifles, paid no attention to the second animal,, being intent oh relieving their comrade. Grey's wounds were very numerous. The lion severely clawed him on the face and head, bit his hands, arms, and thighs, and inflicted severe wounds on his back. After being "rescued, Grey was perfectly collected, and quietly instructed his friends how they could best handle his lacerated body. He-died.on February 4th."