The National tribune., 1883-03-01


scarcely legible characters: Broke my lie
Cal. lion. Be quick"
We lost no time in going to the rescue
party of twenty men, on long snow shoes an
| with good rifles started out. A light fall
| snow rendered it easy to follow poor Rouser
| track. An hours run brought US to the objet
| of our search. Hank was lying under thic
pine tree, on the snow. AT first we thought "
| were too late His form was cold and almo:
rigid. One bone of the left leg was broken. Fortr
| nately brandy had not been forgotten, and Dc
| furbcr, who was a real physician, succeeded i
| restoring him, with the help of many r0ug
but willing hands
| We did not worry him with questions; Il
! could not talk. But all around the spot wer
! marks of ferOciOuS battle, and tracks of
large California lion. a broken snow-ShOe tn
pieces bristling with hair, indicated the natur
of the battle. There was deep wound ol
Hanks hand, and his coat was badly torn
Watt Morgan picked up his bloody pocket
knife in the snow. ! found his revolver, will
all the chambers empty.
Following the track of the ferocious animal
his dead body was found about half a mill
from the spot. 1t was the largest specimen o
the puma that | ever saw, measuring fully
nine feet from tip to tip. We secured his skin
ana slowly returned to camp
1T was two days before Hank could briefly
recount his adventures II appeared that ht
had started out early on the morning of tn;
third day to return. He had bought a hundred
pounds of bacon, and was lucky enough t
have it brought out fifteen miles by a pack
train. Then he packed it on his back tel
miles further, until he +, achcd the snow where
he left his hand He had come on faster
than he expected until nearly sunset, when he
heard the familiar cry of a California lion
Upon that he started forward as fast rs he
could 20. and looking back for the lion, hl
made false step; his snow-shoe hit a stump
and broke, throwing him down with great yio-
lcnCe, and breaking his Leg. Fortunately the
might was warm, so he had no fear of freezing.
He had few crackers in his pocket, and, with
the bacon, lie was well provided against hunger
and he did not feel entirely hopeless.
Then the cry Of the California lion sounded
nearer. No doubt he scented the bacon. Hank
drew his receiver and crawlcd 20 large tree
he partly succeeded in burying the bacon in
the snow. The fearful cry sounded still nearer
Fhe sun had set, and it WAS nearly dark. In
tcn'!y Watching, he ut length disccrned the
animal, his eyes g'ariag. through the branches
of a tree. He decided not to fire until his
only chance required it, lest the wounded
beast should attack him. He shouted. waved
his broken sn0w-shoe, threw suow-bals bat
the or, ature still skirmishcd around him, eyi-
IDENTITY taking i'll the situation. He drew
nearer and nearer crOUching as if for a
spring. When he was within a couple of
rods Hank fred his first shot, hoping to hit
him III the eye. Bat tie bullet seemed to
glance from the sku,l. The maldcned brute
was ab)It to leap upon him when q champion
appeared. houscr sprang upon him from be-
hind.
Then began fearful conflict Rouser, who
was small and more active" could avoid the
onset OF h S heavier foe for some time, until he
grew weary. Hank fired sew, raj shots, but
I.tNI Ii Il -.
SurTcd so near him that he beat the lion of
with his broken snowshoc, and succeeded in
ini!icting q sharp wound III his throat. This
was probably mortal wound Tor the animal
re,rcat2d, closely pursued by Rou ser, and IIanl,
coIid hear the conflict raging Tor an hour
LONGER. Then Rou'cr returned in a pitiable
p.ilht, bu. joyful and triumphant.
Hank thought the time could not have been
far from midnight. Bul he probably tainted
from pain and exhaustion, for the next he
knew 1t was morning and he was nearly dead
with cold. He managed to stir little, and
from tne BILE, ding wound on his hand, where
the fierce brute hai scratched him, he obtained
the blood to race The warning we had received
He had written it with match, and fastened
ii 10 Roa iers neck. With the same match he
had been able to light little fire, which he
fed for some time with bark and cones from the
p'ne-tree. He ate cracker, and then probably
fell tsIcp
Thanks to skillfnl surgery and good nursing
he came out all right, and was able to 10 his
part when we resumed work i'll the spring
And Rouser, who shared his convalescent
couch, with one OF his legs spiintered and
banda@cd, like his master-oh he was the hero
OF the camp! If a dogs head could be turned
with compliments and tlattery, ROuser would
have been spoiled dog. But his nature was
too noble and unsefsh to be moved by any
sentiment OF vanity
Through the long weeks in which our two
helpless patients lay in their rude hunks we
learned a lesson from their brave and uncom-
planning patience.
Hank ) hardness and reserve seemed to melt
away III a generous gratitude for the attention
and care We bestowed upon him. And it was
good thing for US that we had some ennobing
to expand and elevate our hearts
As for Rouaer, he got brlvely over his in
juries; and am sure there WAS not Il man in
Round Valley that did not think him as worthy
OF being carved i'll marble as any of the worlds
great heroes.
That exquisite poem of thc late DR. Holland,
:" To my Dog Blanco." is a fitting tribute to
dear old Rouscr:
. For all OF good that have found
Within myself or human kind
Hath royalty informed and crowned
His gentle heart and mind.
- ] sean the whole broad earth around
For that one heart which, leai and true,
Bears friendship without end or bound,
And lind the prize in you.
81 trust You as trust the stars;
Nor cruel loss, nor ScOf of pride
Nor beggary, nor dungeon bars
Can move you from my side
-HGrper'$ Young People.