Morning journal and courier., 1881-04-23
Price Four Cents.

bound which my horse gave all but .unseated me. "Avestruzl Avestruzn n shouted Greo- orlo, and turned his horse with quick move ment. "Choo choo Plata !" cry to the dog who followed at my horses heels. as a fine male ostrich scudded away toward the hills we had just left, with the speed of lightning. Plata has sighted him, and is straining every limb to reach the terrified I bird.
 He is plucky dog and fleet one, but it will take him all his time to come alongside that great raklng ostrich, as he strides away ! in all the conscious pride of his strength and speed. 'FWe shall lose him !" cry half mad with excitement, spurring my horse, who is beginning to gasp and falter as the hill up which we are struggling grows sleeper and sleeper But the ostrich suddenly doubles to the left, and commences a hurried descent The cause Is soon explained, for in the direc- ton toward which he has been making a great cloud of smoke rises menacinoly in his path, and, baked of the refuge he had hoped to find amid the hills, the great bird is forced ! to alter his course and make swiftly for the plains below. But swiftly as he flies alono. so does Plata, who finds a down hill racs much more suited to his splendid shoulders and rare stride. Foot by foot he lessens the distance that separates him from his prey, ana gets nearer and nearer to the fast. sink ing fast-tiring bird.
 Away we go, helter-skelter down the hill. unchecked and undefeated by the numerous obstacles that obstruct the way. Plata is aiongslde the ostrich, and gathers himself for spring at the birds throat stHe has him, he has him '" I shout to gregorio, who does nor reply, but urges his horse on with whip and spur. "Has he got him. tbouob 2' Yes-no-the ostrich, with ranid twist has shot some thirty yards ahead of his enemy, ana Whlrllng around makes for the hills once more. And now begins the strueole for vie
 tory. The ostrich has decidedly the best of
 1t, for Plata, though he struggl s eamely,
 does not like the uphill work, and at every stride loses ground There is another fire on
 the hill above, but it lies too much to tbe
 left to attract the birds attention, who has
 evidently safe line of escape in view in that
 direction. On, on we press; on on flies the
 ostrich bravely and gamely struggles in it's
 wake poor Plata. 'tCan he stay ?5 cried to
 Gregorio, who smiles and mods his head.
 He is right the dog can stay, for hardly have
 the words left my lips when, with tremen
 dons effort, he puts on 8 spurt and races up
 alongside the ostrich. Once more the bird
 points for the plain; he is beginning to fal-
 ter, but he is great and strong. and he is not
 beaten yet. It will take all Piatu's time and
 cunning to pull that magnificent bird to the
 ground, and 1t will be a long fierce struggle
 ere the gallant creature yields up his fife
 unconscious of anything but the exciting chase before me am suddenly disagreeably reminded that there is such a thing as eau
 ton, and necessity to look where you are go- ing to, for putting his foot in an unusually deep tuca-tuca hole, my little horse comes with crash upon his head and turns com pletely over on his back, burying me beneath hlm In hopeless muddle Fortunately be- yond shaking am unhurt, and remount ing, endeavor to rejoin the now somewhat distant chase. The ostrich, Gregorio and ths dog have reached the plain, and as galloped quickly down the hill can see that the bird has begun doubling.
 This is sure sign of fatigue. and shows that the ostr1ch's strength is beginning to fail
 him. Nevertheless, it is a matter of no small difficulty for one dog to secure his prey. even
 at this Juncture, as he cannot turn and twist
 about as rapidly as an ostrich At each dou-
 ble the bird shoots far ahead of his pursuer.
 and gains considerable advantage Away across the plain the two animals fly, while I
 and Gregorlo press eagerly in their wake.
 The excitement grows every moment more
 intense, and I watch the close struggle going
 on with the keenest interest. Suddenly the
 stride of the bird grows slower, his doubles
 become more frequent, showers of feathers fly in every direction as Plata seizes him by the tall, which comes away in his mouth. In another moment the dog has him by the throat and for few minutes nothing can be distinguished but a gray, struggling heap
 Then Gregorio dashes forward and throws
 himself off his horse, breaks the birds neck, and when arrive upon the scene the strug- gle is over. The run has lasted for twcnty- five minutes.