The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-11-11
A HUNTERS TALE.
How n Mountuincer Captured n Wild Pony
and Killed Il Puma.

NJ. e. Irving, the mountaineer hunter,
says the Rocky Mountain Ners, recent
ly came into Colorado Springs from the
mountains, and reported the discovery
of pony in company with herd of
bison known to range among the hills
about the northern base of Pixies Peak.
The pony had often been seen by other
hunters, leading the bison herd, and had
long been known as the property of an
old citizen, now absent. Irving, believ-
ing that he could capture the pony, was
appointed by Justice Lyon deputy
constable for that purpose and he ac-
cordingly left Colorado Springs mount
ed on a mule, with lariat, rife, and
mountain outfit. About ten days after
he returned, bringing with him the
pony.
His manner of capturing the animal
was an achievement that stands alone
among lariat throwing exploits. The
third day out il the mountains he dis
covered the pony in small park of some
fifteen acres, together with several bison
and large herd of elk. The pony, it
appears, was feeding little distance off
rom the herd. Irving, by laying close
to the back of his mule, and permitting
it to feed slowly along, succeeded III
getting between it and the other animal,
when he rose up in his saddle and gave
an unearthly scream, at the same time
bearing down on the pony, which, with
a snort and bound, started off in an
opposite direction from the now fright
ened herd. The bison and elk were soon
out of sight.
The pony took toward the southern
edge of the park, where it disappeared
up deep, narrow, rocky canyon. Irv-
ing, finding it impossible TO urge his
mule along the almost impossible gorge,
dismounted, and, leaving the animal Sc
cured to tree, continued the pursuit on
! foot. For nearly two miles he followed
the devious course of the canyon, which
! in places was not more than three feet
wide, it's walls rising perpendicular to a
/ height of several hundred feet. The
canyon unexpectedly opened into park
of some two or three hundred acres,
around which mountains rose with glad-
ual slopes, covered with dense growth
of the pinion tree. Following the path
of the pony among the pinions, along
the base of the mountain, Irving was
startled by strange noise, the like of
which he had never heard before, and
which filed him with nameless dread.
He fastened on, however, and soon
came upon the pony, securely in the
power of a mountain lion, which had
fastened its teeth in its side, pulling it
down to the earth.
1rviug's first movement was to secure
the pony with his lariat, one end of
which was fastened to his belt. No
sooner had he accomplished this than he
was discovered by the lion, which, loosen
ing it's hold on the pony, sank down by
its side in a crouching attitude, with its
gaze fixed upon the hunter, and ready to
spring upon him with the crushing
power peculiar to the animal. With the
celebrity and accuracy of the experienced
hunter, Irving sent ball from his Win
chester through the brain of the lion,
which bounded through the air with O
roar that might have been heard mile,
and quickly expired. ..-
The pony, slightly injured, tugged
Justify at the lariat in its efforts to re-
gain its freedom. But Irving says that
after reading the execution to him he
seemed to give up, and became quite
docile. The hide and head of the lior
were secured by the hunter, and Were
on exhibition at Colorado Springs. The
length of the animal from nose to tip O.
tail is eleven feet four inches. The pony
has been advertised at constable's sale
and many bidders are awaiting the da,
of sale. 1t is shaggy, vicious, wild
looking animal. ...r.. ..... -.