The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-02-23
Pursued by q Black Puma.

''The pepro's cry grew fainter and
| fainter. Then its note changed to ths
querulous worrying and snarlng, with
loud, long bark now and again,
| which tells tine master that his dog
wants help with dangerous quarry.
| guessed how it was in that moment.
While followed the lions old trail it
had been following me! / ran back,
The perro was working fart cr from
| our path. Luckily struck at once the
spot where he had branched away. but
it was slow lifting his track rough
the forest. ] had made up my mind to
return, when the clamor changed to
yelps and howls. The lion had faced
about, struck down my dog and per-
haps was tearing him. AS fast as
possible hurried on.
"But if lions mean killing, all is
over in an instant when they have
their victim down, and the perros
miserable yells showed him to be still
living. After awhile | came up. See
t 'e marks!" We observed two deep
scars on the left shoulder and two
slighter ones, two rugged punctures on
the right. There the puma's claws
had grasped while he struck.
'sThe children loved my dog, and no
artery was cut. ] shredded some
Spanish moss, bound up his wounds,
slung him in my scarf. and set out for
home; so far had we wandered that it
was nearer than the corral, | am
strong. senores, but the sun was hot,
and dog is heavy on ones shoulders.
No path led throu gh the forest, and l
could not feel sure. not being an
Indian, that l was following the true
course. A hundred times | thought of
dropping the poor animal. but | had
not the heart when he licked my neck.
and l remembered what his fate would
be, deyoured alive by ants.
Presently he became restless, ard
then he growled. 1T needs many
lessons to teach fool, says proverb.
hit him with my elbow, but he would
not be quiet. He began to bark feebly,
gathering up his limbs. poor beast! I
suddenly caught the hint and turned
At few yards distance the bushes
softly swayed beside my track! That
lion was following again. | looked to
my rifle and set forward. In ten
minutes the growing recommended,
and the excitement of the perro grew
stronger and stronger. The brute was
creeping up! l cooked my gun. faced
around, but that devil was quicker!
Nothing could be seen but the waving
of the twigs. | fired chance shot to
no effect aud resumed my way after
loading. For a long while all was
quiet. l gained the river bank and
was working down. relieved of all
anxiety, for the spot was familiar. In
an hour | should be at home
Beyond broad belt of reeds and
swampy ground lay the clearing. That
was an ugly bit to traverse with lion
tones heels, and congratulated my
self he had run away. One could not
see yard on either hand when, half
way through. the perrO growled and
barked and struggled in greater
agitation than before! cried to the
saints. and the sweat poured down.
When turned, the leaves were all
bending and quivering but five yards
away! | shot and hurried on, but the |
ground was difficult. In a few mo-
ments the dog again gave warning,
and the reeds swayed all about. shot!
But now the dog did not cease to
raise such feeble clamor as he could,
and l shot as fast as | could load. |
Madre di Dios, senores, what run
that wasi
THE firing saved me! Two vaqueros
resting in the shade knew the sound |
of my piece, and came to meet me
hallooing. The perro was almost
choked in convulsions by this time.
and l believe that lion had Just
gathered himself to spring when their
shouts alarmed him. And from that
time, senores, have understood how
a kind action does not go unrewarded. |
For if | had abandoned my dog | |
should never have reached home that
day. From Belgravia.