Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

Wild animals do not usually attack men without provocation unless driven to do so by hunger. It is probable, therefore, that the four mountain lions which besieged J. H. Camp for four days and nights in a cabin in the upper San Gabriel country, California, were starving. It was a terrifying experience, as the San Francisco Examiner tells it, for Camp’s only companion in misery was a burro, and his means of defense a revolver and a limited quantity of ammunition.
Camp had gone to the mountain cabin to prepare it for the reception of several hunters, and during his stay alone had heard the cry of wildcats and the screech of panthers. He had not seen any of the animals until one day when he was cutting away some brush on the trail near the cabin he heard a twig snap in front of him. Looking up. he beheld a huge lion right in the center of the trail, switching its tail menacingly. Camp was filled with terror, but instinctively his hand sought his hip pocket, in which reposed his revolver.
As he drew it another lion walked out of the brush, and behind it were two smaller ones, probably cubs.
Blazing wildly away with the revolver, Camp created a momentary diversion that allowed him to reach his cabin. Rushing inside, he barred the door and reloaded his revolver, determined to frighten away the brutes if possible. As he looked out he saw his burro snorting and tugging at his tether, one of the tawny brutes having already begun to creep up on him. With a plunge the burro broke loose and rushed the shelter, with the lion after him. Camp opened the door just long enough to admit the frightened burro, which shot in as if launched from a catapult.
Throwing his weight against the door, Camp barred it again. He had plenty of provisions, and decided to remain quiet for a time, hoping that the lions would go away. Knowing that they are usually cowardly brutes, he was at a loss to account for their daring action except on the theory that it might be a pair with their cubs. He made the burro comfortable, and then took a look to see if the lions were still there. They were watching. All day Sunday at least one was in sight, and Camp decided to stay low. On the next day and the next the conditions were the same.
On the fourth morning Camp cautiously peered out. The lions were not in sight. He hurriedly saddled the burro, mounted. and turned the little beast toward civilization. The burro needed no urging, and Camp was congratulating himself on his escape when a piercing screech came from the trail behind. The lions had discovered his departure, and were in pursuit.
There was only one thing to do-beat the lions to civilization. Camp accepted the terms. So did the terrified little burro, which for once, at least, galloped like a race horse. Never was the descent to Lordsburg made in such time, and when Camp and his burro reached the town, both were exhausted, the one from fright, the other from the hard ride.