The Osceola times., 1888-09-08

i"i iihci iodNce MS pioW anu tne miner
his pan. dogs are unclaimed, horses
saddled in wild haste, and, five min
utes after, dust-clouds sweeping across
the vega, as II on the wings OF the
storm. announce the arrival of rescu-
ing parties from far and near. There
is no time TO be lost. The baffled
marauders are flying for the Sierra,
and by an unsparing use OF spur and
whip may be overtaken, headed
of, perhaps. and possibly caught
In the COLES of rOdes, or
circle hunt-a sport the wild
hunters would not exchange for
the spectacle Of the finest bull-fght in
Spanish America. Forward, hounds
and racers. ahead through brush and
bramble. guided by the bugle signal OF
the van-guard-joining the direct pur-
suit, or taking advantage OF bee-line
trail to gain the uplands ahead OF the
fugitives and turn their flight by "a
flank charge.
The wolves keep well together, fully
aware that stragglers will be instantly
cornered; another mile and the thickets
are gained; but left and right the hill.
sides already clatter under the hoofs OF
galloping horses, the fatal trompada
rings out its signal-blasts mingled
with even louder cheers, and the rum
ming fight with q legion Of yelping
ours presently becomes q general
melee; the galgos, the fierce blood
hounds Of the border ranches, have
forged ahead, and, cheered by the yells
OF the hunters, at once rush into the
thick of the flying outlaws. For a
moment the terrible snap bites OF the
marauders prevail; the aggressors re-
coil, but the victory has been pur-
chased at the price of a perlous delay.
the racers have passed the foothills,
and horn signals already blare from
the gates OF the mountain passes the
remaining hopes OF escape are meas
ured by minutes. The gaigoS again
rush in; but in the midst OF the confu-
sion a veteran wolf is seen standing
firm, scanning the rocks ahead with
the eye Of an expert campaigner.
evidently resolved to keep his wits
steady aud utilize every possible
chance OF salvation.
But that chance is soon reduced TO
problem Of battle tactics. The confu-
sion of the second charge has involved
the loss OF an additional minute, and
that minute has decided the fortune OF
the day. Reinforcements Of blood
hounds charge bowling up the glen, a
whirl Of galloping hoofs sends down a
shower Of pebbles from the flank Of a
lateral ridge, and new detachment
Of hunters storms ahead to complete
the blockade of the alluras. .t4t
Every galgo on the uplands will soon
be on the ground, even II his owner
should have to recall him from the
view halo chase Of deer hunt. Near
the little mining hamlet OF San Rafael
once visited the camp OF railway
surveyor, when the echo OF trompada
sent our Mexicans a-hying in all direc-
tions, and few minutes after the first
bevy OF hunters strange team came
laundering down the road-a horse,
two mules and a two-wheeled cart con-
tanning hunter and grizzly old
galgo. The dog was still sore from
the scars Of a recent prize fight, and
had one of his legs bandaged; but
rather than incur the odium Of shirk-
ing the rally. his owner had decided to
fetch him out in a cart. and in spite OF
his wounds the old fighter stood bolt
upright, answering the cheers Of the
villagers with deep-mouthed bark.
A dozen such champions can be war;
ranted to save the expense of gunpow-
der, even In wolf-hunt. In the first
heat Of the pursuit, and when the
plurality OF his allies are still far be-
hind, they often outstrip the horses
and strain every nerve to accomplish
the main purpose Of interrupting the
fugitives. but in a pitched battle they
can appreciate the advantage Of CO.
operative tactics. Two and two, or In
larger packs, they keep close together,
and while the mounted hunters charge
in with clubs of blackberry wood, their
canine allies pick of blockade runners
till the reduction OF the hostile force
warrants signal for general as
sault. That signal tests the power OF
the leaders, for the wolves now close
their ranks, and the valor OF their vet
Grams seems to increase with the hope
lessness Of their plight, and even the
last survivors perish in selling their
lives as dearly as possible. Dripping
with blood and the foam Of their saw
age snap-bites, they stand bristling at
bay grimly determined to resist their
aggressors TO the very last.
She-wolves, however, somewhat
lack that stoicism, and in view OF in
evitable death are apt TO lift their
heads and wake the echoes of the
aiuras with a weird farewell howl,
addressed, perhaps, to the memory OF
their starving whelps in the caverns
of the distant Sierras.-Felir l.. Os-
pald, in ~ Y. Mail and Express.
Customer Ito jeweler)-"Heres
the clock I bought of you the other
day. It's OF no earthly use to me, for