The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1879-05-31
PerlIs Of the Chase.

Correspondence of st. Louis Globe Democrat
BELKNAP, Northwest Texas, April 80.
An incident transpired some time ago
in the Wichita Mountains, which rise
along side the stream of the same name
in Baylor County, bordering on the
great Llama Estocado of Texas, that
we'll illustrates the stealthy character of
the Puma, or Mexican lion. The ami
NAL is an inhabitant of the lofty noun
tain ranges of Mexico, and quite often
met with in the Chenoti Range which
looms up between the Rio Pecos and Rio
Grande, this side of Ell Paso, and in the
extreme wilds and bowling wildernesses
of West Texas. The Puma is occasion
ally encountered in the mountain settle
ments on the Texas frontier.
A few evenings ago Texas frontiers
man and hunter named Franklin, dwell
Ter on the lonesome banks of the head
waters of the Little Wichita, left his
ranch for the purpose of bagging some
wild turkeys and other game for break
fast next morning.
The hunter was dressed in the broad
slouched hat so common In Texas, with
boots over trousers, six-shooter belted
to his waist, and his trusty rife slung
over his shoulder. His venture was quite
successful, Franklin being center shot.
Following the banks of the Little Wich-
ita, he brought down three fine gobblers
with his piece, and, huntsman-like, tied
all of them with a leather thong, slung
the turkeys over his shoulder, and started
for his sylvan home, or rather camp.
The shadows of night had already par
TALLY fallen on the murmuring river,
and the sombre gloom of deep solitude
fallen on the trees that lined the banks
of the Wichita. Franklin was plodding
along in the dim shades, unconscious of
danger from man or beast, when he felt
a sudden shock, as if great load had
been precipitated on his back. Utterly
amazed and stunned, the hunter arose
from the STOPPING position into which he
had been thrown, and grappled with his
unknown and mysterious assailant. Hsi
first idea was that it was some devil-fish
by some curious chance turned loose on
land.
A fierce combat ensued. His assailant
grappled with him, but seemed to direct
his strength against the freight he car
fied on his back. Franklin could not
use his gun or his pistol, but struck at
g the varmint with his fist, and endeav-
ored to free himself from the intruder
much after the manner of the character
in the Arabian Nights, on whose back
was saddled the Old Man of the Sea- At
last the animal, for such Franklin at
length perceived it to be, succeeded in
scampering off with one of the turkeys,
followed by the hunter. who now drew
his gun as we'll as knife. He fired one
shot at his assailant. But this only en-
ragged him, and the animal, making a
deadly spring, alighted ON Franklin, at
the same time planting its claws deep
into his neck and cheeks, The hunter
was also fearfully torn and mangled
about the arms, legs and other parts of
the body, where the sharp teeth of the
brute were rapidly planted.
After this last spring, when the animal
had fastened its ugly claws in his face.
Franklin plunged his knife into his
enemy. who fell dead on the ground.
On examining the yarmint the hunter
found it to be Mexican hon of large
size. Such was his own enfeebled condi-
| ton, after such death struggle, that it
was with difficulty Franklin reached his
ranch, where his wounds were dressed.