The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-16
Hunting A CoyotR.

Hunting n Coyote.
The Virginia City New Chronicle
SAYS. Yesterday afternoon party Of
Virgiuians engaged in a coyote hunt,
which WIS perhaps ono Of the most re-
markahlc sporting events ever witnessed
IN tho country. The meet took place at
noon, uu the nlkali Hat, about eighteen
miles cast of this city. Tho place se-
lccted for the liberation Of tho coyote
was sort of alkali flat about six or
scycn miles wide The coyote, Gagged IN
close box, had been brought 10 the
place in wagon, and was liberated
about half past twelve IN tho center Of
the flat. Ii WAS agreed to allow him 10
reach the edge Of tho sagcbrush. some
three miles distant, before the hounds
were slipped. When lot out Of his boz
the coyote trottcd OF ieiEurely, leaving
behind eighteen or twenty hounds
struggling fnnhcally in the leash and
clamorlng for tho run. II took the
coyote about fifteen minutes 10 reach the
edge of the HAT, and just as ho melted
into the sagcbrush the pack were turn
al loose upon the desert and took the
trail in fun cry. followed by we'll
mounted field.
The sagcbrush was soon reached, and
then the chase began ia earnest. John
S. kaneun, who was splcndidly mounted,
took the lead, with Jack Magco close at
his heels aud the rest Of the field trail
ing behind The sagobrush and bould-
cru were not the easiest things IN the
world 10 run in, but the horses, which
hal got warmed up 10 the work, made
light Of the rough condition Of the track
AS they went crashing through the
brush or took flying leaps over the
boulders The hounds were about half
mile ahead IN the sagebrush, their
course marked 10y "a continuous yclpiug
aud trail Of dust.
After IA run Of about twenty minutes,
the coyote turned upon the trail and
took "a course leading back 10 the fiat.
Reaching the limit Of the sagcbrush, il
shot into the clear flat again, and made
bee line for the box from which il Was
liberated. The hounds cleared the brush
but few minutes behind, with the field
not twenty yards ia the rear, and at this
point the chase became very exciting
The flat was as level as "a floor, and when
the field struggled ont Of the brush the
coyote WAS about half mile ahead, and
had three miles 10 run before reaching
the box point for which IL WAS eyi-
IDENTIFY making. Horses, hounds and
coyote were now all, for the first time,
IN sight Of each other. About half u
dozen horsemcu led the field.
As they nearcd the box the coyote was
pretty closely pressed by the hounds,
but made a spurt and slid into his old
retreat like a fash Of lightning. The
driver Of the team who had brought him
ont jumped down and closed the door,
and IN a minute pack Of disappointed
dogs were yelping all around IL. The
riders eame up Immediately Aiterward,
and hearty cheer went up IN honor Of
the sagacious coyote, followed 10y a
general laugh when the utter ridiculous
ness of the situation became apparent.
After the coyote had taken about half
All hours rest il was decided 20 give the
hounds a second run, and the snArling
coyote was again turned out upon the
cold charities Of the sagebrush. He
made of this time at pace which dis
counted las first ehort. IL did not take
over five minutes for him 10 reach the
sAgrbrush, and the instant he disappear
al the field took the trail. He covered
about the same ground AS before, but
doubled more frequently and ran a good
deal faster. In about twenty minutes
he again turned into the fiat, and Lit
tie Martin" the driver, who WAS near
the box with his team, concluded 10 GO
out "a meet him. The coyote was duub-
ling in fue style ou the hounds, but
when Martin had Travelled about a mile
from the box the animal turned and made
for the wagon. The dogs overlook him
when he was vet about hiiy yards from
the wagon, and the leader spriuging for
ward fastened his teeth III his shoulder.
The coyote turned uimbly, and Appro-
priatiug a portion Of the dogs ear,
travelled on, and gaining the wagon,
stopped directly under il, tro,ting along
like a coach dog, beneath the fore
axle. The hounds surrounded the
wagon yelping sayAgely, aud one would
occasionally shoot between the wheels
/ 90 try conclusions with the coyote, who
would generally send him bowling back
with the blood streaming from his hide.
The coyote finally became emboldcned
/ with it, success, and gliding from be
tween the wheels, sprang into the center
Of the pack, and. for few seconds,
fought sayAgcly, sliding pack to its van
I tage ground again when numbers threat
cned 10 oyerpowcr him. Little Martin,
the seli.constituted guardian OF the
coyote. enjoyed the fun immensely, and
drove the wagon straight up 20 the box.
/ The hounds, which seemed 10 anticipate
. a repetition Of the first strategic move
meut, made a rush 90 cut Of the retreat,
. but the hunted animal fought has way
through, and clearing the back OF the
last one in his way by leap that must
have measured fye times his length, he
gained the door Of the box, and was IN
side again IN q second.
+ The field now came up and sent mp
another round Of hearty cheers for the
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