Daily Honolulu press. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1886, 1886-01-01
A Nebraska WOLF Hunt
lKtfttsn 70, the paizr pre,s.l

| Dmine tiC WluteI vi iooz-11 Wnlle TuOlnR
the State of Nebraska in the capacity of a
travelling book agent, it was my good fortune
to while away several weeks in the flourish
ing little city Of Beatrice located near the
southern boundary of the State, in the fertile
valley of the Big Blue River. My temporary
headquarters were the City Hotel Our jolly
and accommodating landlord was Eugene Mack,
Esq, one of the most successful wolf hunters
in that section Of the State, having pack Of
celebrated English greyhounds, unequaled
this side of the Atlantic. Mr.. Mack, learning
jof my sporting propensites, made arrange
ments for hunt, to satisfy my own unbound
ed curiosity in this direction. The day set
apart for this glorious jollifcation was Friday,
March 24th. The manner, of hunting the
wolf in Southern Nebraska is to pursue the
game on horseback, after the fashion of an
English fox hunt.
| In view of such novel proceedings l was
quite impatient to select my steed even several
days in advance; SO proceeding to the stables
requested the hostler to point me out swift,
and sure-footed horse. Our darkey at once
led forth fine jet-black pony-who pitched
forward his ears to the familiar name Of ''Back
Jack"-with the remark, "dar am de tastes
boss in four counties, and sule-footed as a
mule" This was undoubtedly a good
recommendation for Jack, although to
me the latter part of this statement meant but
little at FIRST as was almost totally ignorant Of
the peculiarities Of the long cared quadruped
to which the reference was made but sudden
ly remembering of having read somewhere of
the unerring qualities of the hind feet of
mule, it no longer remained question to my
mind but that 'Back Jack" would answer
every purpose. Friday morning came and at
the first peep Of day we were ready for the
start some perhaps more eager for the chase
than "Black Jack" and myself Our party
consisted of Mr.. Mack, one other gentleman
and myself, accompanied by pack OF
eighteen grayhounds; two of this number
slightly crossed by the foxhound.
Having reached the open prairie we kept a
sharp lookout in every direction for game
our object being 10 arouse the wolf and then
give chase. At times we were half mile
apart, and then again within conversing distance
OF each other, special care being taken to follow
the ravines, for the reason that the long prairie
grass in these hollows affords a comparatively
secure hiding-pace. We had proceeded about
four or five miles, when all at once the well
come "who-whoop" 1.-THE signal of game in
| teH n,,;oI a. s.I, a.
Jack, who evidently knew the familiar sound,
bounded across the prairie at a rate ~ speed
that would have left St. Julian and idaud S.
far in the rear. AS we gained the summit of
the first hill we beheld the object of our
chase, not mile in advance, with three horse
men and eighteen grayhounds in full chase
This was enjoyment and to say the least
very exciting chase. "Black Jack" bore him
self and his burden over hills and through val
leys in fine style, verifying the declaration of
his keeper, until finally after ten-mle run,
the wolf entered an extensive and densely
wooded ravine, compelling us to abandon the
chase.
We now returned for new game. This
time my position in the line Of march proved
more favorable one, insomuch as had the
pleasure OF giving the first whoop, as two
wolves started from clump OF willows but a
short distance to our right. The animals
Immediately separated, and owing to the high
prairie grass End the numerous ravines in the
immediate vicinity, it was an exceedingly
difficult matter to keep our game in sight.
However, under such circumstances knew
1t was 'every man for himself y so, regard.
less OF the direction taken by the dogs and the
other two horsemen, pushed my steet to-
ward what considered bee line for willow
that marked the spot where had las. seen
one of the fleeing wolves and just as reached
the top of the first hill, could see disappear.
ing over more distant bluff an object
which l took to be the wolf l at once
spurred 'Jack" to his utmost speed, and the
way he mfde the grass fly was caution for a
bevy of Honolulu Police blockading the side
walks.
The location Of the ground was now very
much in our favor, consistingofa smooth rolling
prairie, though occasionally we had deep
ravine to jump. AT such junctures some fine
calculations were necessary, in order to prevent
what is known to those familiar with this
class Of sport as lightning somersault On
and on sped my noble SACK, until the object
Of pursuit, which half hour since could only
be regarded as mere speck on distant
prairie, grew larger and larger al each sue
cessive bound when finally the last ravine
had been crossed, the last valley left behind,
and the last summit surmounted, my noble and
enduring steed bounded majestically to the
side of genuine specimen of gray wolf of