The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-01-08
A: HUNTER or CENTRAL AMER
TCA

giant bird. A new animal had also
made his appearance on the savanna
since my last observation; a fine gray
OK, which was grazing on the other side.
With that unreasoning instinct which
one soon learns in the forest, my eyes
fixed themselves upon this animal, al
though no sign appeared to excite "a
tional suspicion. Oxen are common
enough in Chontales, where they are
bred for the San Salvador market, and
of course many of them stray from the
herd and run wild; all through the
forests of Mosbuito such "cimaron"
cattle are found. And yet my eyes
fixed themselves obstinately upon this
stray animal. Surely, thought, after
some minutes watch, there is something
wrong about this business those fore
legs seem strangely shaped, and his
movements
The OK appeared to be walking, or
lounging, if the expression be admissi-
BILE, in ciscle breathlessly waited
till the off-side came under my sight
Slowly and carelessly he moved on,
grazing here, and dozing there, but al
ways eircling round. Ha well might
they seem odd, those fore-legsl A man
was walking behind the of-shoulder,
with one hand on the near horn, and
gun in the other. The 6ocile animal
circled nearer and nearer to the herd,
which regarded him suspiciously, but
made no movement felt sure that
he was as much interested in the event
as the best-bred retriever in English
turnip fields.
A long half-hour waited. The bucks
tossed their heads impatiently, and
stamped their little hoofs, but the does
had apparently no suspicion, and most
ly lay down again. By an accident,
which blessed fervently, the hunter
chose his range at a point just opposite
to me. could have shouted with de-
light when saw the long barrel-paint-
ed with black gum, that it might not
sparhe-pushed over the ox's back. A
Jet of fire, pale in the brilliant sun
! shine, shot forth, and the noblest deer
in the herd leaped high into the air.
Down the savanna they came headlong,
rolling one another over in the panic.
| With head thrown back, and fore-legs
gathered beneath him, a fine buck led
the way; at fifty yards from me they
had disappeared under the trees-but
| led by another monarch. The bravest
of their bucks lay prone upon the
grass
I turned, while reloading, to look for
my brother sportsman. Behold his
wondrous OK had developed new &C
complishmentl Seeit now eareering over
the savanna like Derby crack, bearing
its master in safety to the hillsi Loud
and long L whooped in my finest jungle
fa1setto, before the hero would heed,
but at half a miles distance he pulled
uD and turned to look at me. I made
the most impressive signals fancy could
suggest, or memory recall from long
forgotten ballets. I advanced with
arms delicately outspread, patted my
chest, and pointed to heaven-upon my
honor had great thoughts of pirouet-
ting one leg, and kissing each hand
alternately TO him. These exertiOns
| were rewarded at last, as well they de-
served to be. After loading his long
81 gas-pipe with most significant care,
the hunter trotted toward me laid
down my rifle, unbuttoning, however,
the pistol holster on my hip. and ad-
vanced. Wary, indeed, are the greet
iDgs upon those burnt hills by the
Mico.
"Buenos dias, cabalIero," drawIed
the hunter, with his thumb on the ham,
mer of his piece, and his finger on the
trigger.
"Buenos dias," I replied, leaning,
but without affectation, on the butt of
my revolver. Then we glanced over
each other.
My new acquaintance had a slender
frame covered with yeliowish-brown
skin, dull as parchment. His long,
straight hair, glittering eyes a tlestr dc
tete, Informed nose, and wrinkled
mouth, revealed the pure Indian blood
at a glance while, on his part, he re-
coenized me, I trust, as a "macho, y
from whom no wauton injury could be
apprehended. simultaneously we
dropped our weapons, and shook hands
then we drank long ~ cocktail " each
from the flask in which carried that
mixture, and thus became friends--regu
lar " compadres." The deer packed OF
the ox's back, and we retu ned toward
my camp. In walking triumphantly
through the forest, I observed
''That is a wonderful OK of yours. Il
this strange mode Of hunting common
here?"
"No," replied he. cit takes toe
much trouble TO train the animals, and
very many turn out i'll after months
OF education. Chiquito is a beauty
isn't he? Wind and sun and season ar,
nothing; show him the herd, and he vii
put you within range. He never failed
me yet"
"Oxen DO not look very likely crea
lures for such work, " I said. "How dC
you train them ?"
"Ah, senori II folks would but give
themselves the pains with oxen that i
readily devoted to horses, they would
soon find which is the clever animal o
the two. I've been broader Of differ
ent cattle all my life, and know wha
} can be done with eaeh. never haS
any animal Of any kind under my hand
so intelligent as Chiquito.
"But for hunting you must select TIA
! very cleverest young oxen in the cor
raj How Is he to be known? III tel
: you, senior; take the most beautiful
Beauty and intellect, as goes my ex
3 perience Of animals, are much NOR
3 closely connected thaa common fool
think. AS 70 mankind don
Z give any opinion, for my hf
> has passed on these lonely savsH
! mas, in silent forests and desolat
: hills of men and women don't speak
not knowing much, bat believe tn
same ruIe governs them also for mule