Mauled by a Lion

IT caused a sort of dreaminess, in which there was no sense of pain nor feeling of terror, though quite conscious of all that was happening, and allowed no sense of horror in looking round at the beast. This peculiar state is probably produced in all animals killed by the carnivora; and if so, is a merciful provision by our benevolent Creator for lessening the pain of death.

Turning round to relieve myself of the weight, as he had one paw on the back of my head, I saw his eyes directed to Mebalwe,* who was trying to shoot him at a distance of ten or fifteen yards. His gun, a flint one,* missed fire in both barrels; the lion immediately left me, and, attacking Mebalwe, bit his thigh. Another man, whose life I had saved before, after he had been tossed by a buffalo, attempted to spear the lion while he was biting Mebalwe. He left Mebalwe and caught this man by the shoulder, but at that moment the bullets he had received took effect, and he fell down dead.

abridged

From ‘Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa’ (1857) by Dr David Livingstone (1813-1873).

* Mebalwe Molehabangwe (?1810-?1882) was a local schoolteacher and a Christian preacher, baptised in 1838, and trained to both callings by Livingstone. He continued in association with Livingstone and the London Missionary Society ever after, establishing missions and presiding over church services.

* That is, a muzzle-loading rifle with a flint lock mechanism. When the trigger is pulled, a flint strikes against a steel ‘frizzen’ causing a shower of sparks to ignite gunpowder and discharge a bullet. Misfires were common; a little rainwater could render them useless, and wear-and-tear meant that the sparks generated by the friction diminished over time. Livingstone implies that his own gun was of a different kind, perhaps a percussion lock rifle, a recent innovation.

Précis
Livingstone, pinned by the lion, watched in a dreamlike state as the drama unfolded. He saw Mebalwe aim his antiquated gun, and saw it misfire. He saw the lion turn on Mebalwe, and another man try to bring it down with a spear. At last the wounds inflicted by Livingstone’s gun took their toll, and the lion collapsed and died.
Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Read Next

The Ox and the Ass

The chill of the night is relieved by the warmth of the beasts in their stalls, prompting Mary and Joseph to reflect on the promises of Scripture.

Counsel’s Duty to his Client

When King George IV tried to divorce Queen Caroline with maximum embarrassment, her barrister warned that two could play at that game.

The Defence of Castle Dangerous

In 1692, a girl of fourteen was left to defend her father’s manor from angry Iroquois raiders.