The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-06-29

Dy every colt among them. Then, as prac-
ticing strategy to conceal their real inten-
tions from the pumas, every animal put
his or her head down to the grass, and be-
gan cropping along towards the mare at q
rate just about equal in speed to the adj
vance the pumas. 1t looked very much
as if the horses wished to draw their enc
mics so far from their base that when the
charge was made they would be able to cut
off their retreat. ..... ...... ..,
| Both parties continued to advance until
the distance to the mare on either hands
was lessened to twenty-five yards. The
situation was growing to US, exceedingly
interesting. .... ......r ..... ..l.........,
Mrs. Louise Elmer, by far the best rifle
shot among us, poised her Lansingburg,
drew back the hammer, and in three sec
onds more it is likely there would have
been royal puma foundering there in
the grass, with abullet through his brain.
But Harry promptly put down the weap-
on, scolding his wife little i'm his good
humored way: f.. .... ...-... ...
"Fie, Louise, wouldy you deprive us of the
amusement we have been so long in search
of?'' ...... . .. ............ ...
81 say it's a shame a downright bsrhar-
ity, to permit those ferocious brutes to
mangle and murder those innocent fOalsu
exclaimed Diana, indignantly, lingering
the lock of her rifle impatiently.
mao, Sonora Diana--El leo mao muerto
nada.''
And Mendoza was right. The lion would
Ill -. 4.
than thirty seconds . ..H .-....... ., ...
There came suddenly shrill neigh from
the general of horse, a magnificent brown
stallion-a yell more like the scream of a
sharp-set steam whistle than the neigh Of
horse, and in moment the whole troop
was charging down like a whirlwind.
First they came four or five abreast, in
sections, passing between us and the mare
and beyond tho pumas, the head Of the coll
umn, when the leader suddenly swept
round in IL curve to the left, the animals
dropping into single file as regularly as the
best drilled troopers on earth could have
done, and round they went like lightning
by the left until the head of the column
came round and Tapped the rear on the in
side by about ten animals, leaving space
of about six feet clear between the laps of
the circle, which enclosed the two purnas
and the mare with her fpals.
the moment that the mare found herself
encircled with her friends she fell adroitlv
into the ranks as did her fOals. But they
shot off at a tanget and joined their young
friends in charge of the matron mares.
4. Il,
~ enveloped, set mp terrific roar, and, on
the instant, dashed upon their enemies
with hca9lonn. brute fury. The male made
a tremendous leap, aimed at The brown
stallion, who, wheeling on the instant, his
head towards the Outcrli let flv his necls
StrCI TUTCe tnECT Jucrr voIrrgrUr-vr -r11v
punas' jaw sounded like the crack of a
pistol The vast brute was hurled end
over end across the revolving circle. and,
like lightning, a fiery grey dropped into
line. wheeled, and drove his ho0fs into the
puma's ribs with n thud that sent the mon
ster rolling over and over, howling with
rage and agony.
The female puma sprungher leap upon a
beautiful mOttlCd mare some ten animals
in advance Of the brown stallion, and was
more hardly dealt with than her mate. As
quick as thought the mare and two OF her
earnest companions fell within the line,
turned tail To, and, simultaneously. there
fell the crushing blows from six spiteful
hoOfS upon the pura's head, breast, and
shoulders, knocking every atom Of fight
out other in a second, and laying her ont
there upon the grass as limp as Il rag
"BraVo, little beauty! cheercd Louise for
the m0ttlcd mare. 'Uurrah for General
Brown shouted Diana, enthusiastically.
"Niva os todOs carvalhoS!' - put i'm Mendo-
III, in extacies. "fiurrah! bravo! viva!
go it wild horses!' we all yelledin concert.
And 90 il they did-those gallant defend
ers of female and intsnt horses. Round
and round they went in that whirling and
dizzy waltz. dealing hattering blows with
their vengeful heels until the last spark of
life was beaten from the mighty pumas
and then, with many Il proud neigh of tri-
umph, they went prancingaway from the
field of BATTLE WHke'S Spirit. Il
rS''~There is n beautiful area Of some fifty
thousand square miles, east of the Mssis-