The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-04-01

the lake beneath exposed them again 10 my yisw
Gazing upon the rock which my evil stars had in
duced me ascdsld, became sensible that il had
now an occupant and that in the shape of a large
jaguar-whether it the same individual that had
already attempted my fastness, had no means of
determining. However that might be, it was evil
dent enough that it was meditating the best means
of reaching either the iguanas. lie was
crouchcd upon the highest point of the grey rock,
distant about six feet from the nearest branches and
perhaps ten or twelve from the hole--a distance
quite within the range of spring. The per-
pendcular height of the waving bouglis above him
with the uncertainty Of retaining his hold amongst
them, seemed, to have determined him to make his
attempt upon the latter. From the advantage Of
my position, had little fear to result, and
graduating myself on having discovered my enemy
before hc had made advances, descended as
rapidly my stiffcned limbs would permit him be-
fore he had succeeded ia getting amongst the bran
ches, where in my present enfeebled the
test would be much more doubtful. Aiming myself
again with the soutest of the sticks, and grasping
my open knife in my left hand, ! stationed myself
where the trunk first divided ITSELF waiting the at
tack. My motion had been closely watched by the
jaguar; he was much below that if he should
succeed in fixing himself on the stem should have
him at great advantage during the necessary slow
| ascent along its smooth bark. Curling up his body
he prepared to spring, and in half "A second he was
cnging about ten feet below the point where stood
Drawing up his hind legs and fixing his claws firm
ly, he raised his fore paws cautiously, and com
menced his approach. My intention to permit
him come almost close to me before opposed him.
| had supposed that | could easily dslodge him /;
but when / saw how firmly he held himself | at
once became aware this would be more difficult than
had anticipated, Step after step growing fierce
| Iy, he came on his hot breath steamIng up IN
my face, whilst his eyes like living cmerads glared
upon me, evidently aware of my hostile intentions.
I 4
cuary fitted for observation, still confident
in my resources, and could not but admire the
strength and elegance of his frame. lie was n large
sized male, and the muscles Of the lons and
hind quarters were brought into full play, the
the fine contour of his body was fully shcwn. Al
ready his paws were within reach of my hand, and
It beloved me TO try my means against him. Lay
ing my knife IN wide fork of the tree, raised my
club and struck him with my whole force on the
muzzlc. A deep growl answered me, but he retain
| ed his hold, and continued his advance with the
same cautious footing. lie did not however, seem
by any means cmboldcned by this salute and slight
lily altered his course for the purpose of avoiding
This change SO far advantageous to him that IT
removed ms head to point where, in consequence
OF the projection of an of the tree, was unable
to hit him where my light weapon could alone he
available. TO have battered his body would have
! been a loss of time, which was becoming every
ment more valuable | now cndcGyOrcd, by fixing
the end of my pole in the angle of his jaw, to force
him down by mere strength This for few min
utes retarded his progress and gave HIM great PAIN
lie was rendered only fierce by this means and
drawing up his body ill he nearly round, pre-
pared for an advance which would have placed a
branch within reach of his paw which L attained,
would have at once enabled him to compete with me
on more uqual footing. Finding my pole insufficient
to rcpcI him, laid it down, and soizing my knife.
stepped down on my knee, hoping TO strike him IN
the eye, in the expectation that the blade strong
enough to penetrate the bone separating the orbit
from the BRAIN My situation was becoming mo-
ment-rily more critical, for if | failed in the dircc
ton of my blow, the character of the contest would
be changed, and would have 10 be carried on III
way that might speedily prove fatal to ne.
His hinge fore foot was now resting in immcdi-
ate contact with my knee; he steadily drawing
up his trunk, when STOPPING over him, plunged
my knife into his eye. A of anguish broke
from him, and oosug his claws he endcavoured to
strike me. He did, however, no farther injury than
slightly scratching my arm: and Withdrawing my
arm, prepared to repeat the blow. 1t did not ap-
pear that the wound had Inflicted was of very
serious nature beyond depriving him of the vision
of one eye. He retrcatcd little, and was now in
hopes that he would relnquish his attack, as it of
ten happens that when foiled first they retire. Tie
changed his course, still preserving his intention
and wound partly round the tree before he again
made an effort to climb higher. Laying down the
knife, again seized my staff, and fixing it firmly
into the socket of the injured eve, | exercised
my whole strength in vigorous push This
was to some extent successful, for he receded few
feet leaving deep indentations by his claws as he was
forced downwards. lie now fairly at bay, and
my confidence was completely restored. His position
aud the mode oihs clinging the bark, prevented
HIM from hindering my efforts to rcpcl him. lie
growlcd necessarily, partly from rage, but partly too
from pain, and pause of few minutes now took
place kept my eye warly fixed on his motions.
Suddenly fixing his hind claws firmly. and giving a
hidcous snarI, he cndcayourcd to make a spring up
/, on projecting branch. His rage had overcome
! his cautious instinct. Aiming blow AT his muzzla
which took full effect, and the check given to his
impetus bv the attachment of his nails To the bark
he lost his and fell the Slnllnus Hcr,