The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1875-10-28
HUNTERS TALE.
How a Mountainser Captured Wild Pom
and Killed Puma.

NJ. E. Irving, the MISUNDERSTANDING re-
Gently came into Colorado Springs from the
mountains, and reported the discovery OF a
pony in company with a 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, lead
ing the bison herd, and had long been
known as the property OF an old citizen now
absent. Irving, believing that he could
capture the pony, was appointed by Justice
Lyon Deputy Constable for that purpose,
and he accordingly Left Colorado Springs,
about ten days ago, mounted on a mule,
with lariat, rife and mountain outfit On
Tuesday he returned, bringing with him the
pony.
His manner Of capturing the animal was
an achievement that stands alone among
Iarlat-throwing exploits The third day
out in the mountains he discovered the
pony in a small park OF some fifteen acres,
together wish several bison and a large
herd of elk. The pony, it appears, was
feeding off little distance from the herd.
Irving, by laying close TO the back of his
mule, and permitting it to feed slowly
along succeeded in getting between it and
the other animals, when he rose up in his
saddle and gave an unearthly scream, at
the same time bearing down on the pony,
which, with Snort and bound, started off
in an opposite direction from the now
frightened 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. Irving, finding 1t
impossible TO urge his mule along the al
most impossible gorge, dismounted, and,
leaving the mule secured TO a tree, con-
tinued 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, its walls rising per
pendicularly TO height of sew
eral hundred feet. The canyon
Unexpectedly opened into a park of some
two OF three hundred acres, around
which mountains rose with gradual slopes,
covered with dense growth OF the pinion
tree. Following the path of the pony
among the pinions, along the base Of the
mountains, Irving was startled by a strange
noise, the like OF which he had never heard
before, and which filled him with a name
less dread. lie FASTENED on, however, and
room came upon the pony, securely in the
power Of mountain lion, which had fast
.ned its teeth in its side, pulling it down
10 the earth.
Irying's first movement was to secure the
pony with his iariat, one end of which was
fastened TO his belt. No sooner had he &C
complished this than he was discovered by
the lion, which, loosening its hold on the
pony, sank down by its side in crouching
attitude, with its gaze fixed upon the hunt
er, and ready to spring upon him with the
crushing power peculiar TO the animal.
With the CELEBRITY and accuracy Of the ex-
perienced hunter, Irving sent a ball from
his Winchester through the brain Of the
lion, which bounded into the air with a
roar that might have been heard a mile,
and quickly expired.
The pony, slightly injured, tugged lusti-
~ at the lariat in its efforts to regain its
freedom. But Irving saws that after read
ing the execution 10 him he seemed TO give
MP and become quite docile. The hide
ard head of the lion were secured by the
hunter, and were on exhibition at Colorado
Springs yesterday. The length of the ami
NAL from nose TO tip OF tail is eleven feet
fonr inches. The pony has been advertised
at constable's sale, and many bidders are
awaiting the day Of sale. IL is a shaggy,
vicious, wild looking animal, which would
pass for 4 cross Of the bison and the bron-
cho.-Eocsy -Notmtaia NcpS.