Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1888-06-09
DOGS THAT HUNT MEN.
Mistaken Notions as to the Cnaract
erjs,ics of the Tcxas Bloodhouuds.

The Cuban bloodhound is n combina-
ton of the deerhound, the fcrocious mas
tiff, and the Russian Tor Sil erian grey
hound. They thus unite the unerring
scent OF the deerhound, the savage
bloodthirstiness Uf the mastlif, and the
fieetness of the greyhound. They will
track fugitive, and, having "bayed
him, will tear him i'll pieces.
Far different from this terrible animal
is the genuine Texas bloodhound. The
name "blood" hound is, i'll fat, IN
certain sense, n misnomcr. The Texas
hound is not savage animal, save when
wounded. or when resistance Is made.
They are true descendants OF the Splen-
did animals which made such royal sport
for the Norman kings and mobiles. Zen
tie, patient, untiring, and magnificent
in strength, they are at one the patrl.
clans of their race and the favOrites OF
their masters. The cruel admiXture OF
blood which gives the Cuban hound his
tleviiish hatred Of fleeing foe Is, hap
PLY, absent from the physical develop
ment of our American hounds. Indeed,
public opinion would not for moment
tolerate the use Of the Cuban hound III
pursuit of criminals, even OF the most
desperate character. The object to I've
attained bv the use of bloodhounIs is
not the death or mangling of the man
pursued, but his capture, and the hound
is, therefore, calle1 into requisition
bee .use his unelring instinct will guide
him straight aud true on the path the
culprit has taken, even though twenty
four hours NAV have elapsed aud rains
have fallen and winds have blown to
render the scent cold and faint and per-
picking. These noble animals have in
herited all the instincts of their fore
fathers, who gave back the deep and
mellow echo of their bay i'll English
glades in response to the notes blown by
royal lips,
When Cnur de Leon AMI his noble
train pursued the fleeing stag through
sunny Sherwood's forest aisl,s they
knew by the note Of the hound that the
antlercd foe, arrow stricken and bleed.
ing, was bayed by the faithful pack hut
only bayed. The painting animal did
not attempt to slake his thirst in the
blood of his majestic prey, as the Cuban
hound would have done, but sore and
furnishing as he was, he kept the buck
on the defensive until the hunters ar-
rived, and it was only when the arm OF
his royal and noble master had driven
homo the sharp steel blade that he ven-
tured to feast on the rich, red current
which flowed from the stricken throat OF
the gallant foe which had led him many
weary mile that day over bog and
moor, mountain stream and bosky
thicket.
And in this power Of cOnstraint con
sists the great, the true value Uf The
Texas bloodhound. He responds faith
fully to the inherited instincts 0f hi'
race. Trained to track stag, he vii
follow him until he has bayed him, anC
will leave the victim unharmed until th'
arrival of the hunter Trained to tract
man, he will do the same thing exactly
Hence, as sheriffs do not desire th'
death, but capture of criminals, it vii
easily be seen how far superior the Tex
MS hound is to his Cuban cousin, an'
how much better adapted to the need
of humane and civilised people.
, It may be taken as an absolute fac
that no fugitive need fear harm from
, Texas bloodhound If, when brought t
Sta0u, IIe Will ItiIuIu iuicV uhtiA ~
captors come. If he offers resistance
. continues his flight or wounds the houn'
why, then the hound will do Just a
his master would do under similar cir
cumstances. and resort to extreme meas
|, ures to defend himself.
, 1t is not vet six months since des
perado in the Panhandle Of Texas wa
, trailed into chaparral thicket by tire
good hourds. He WAS brought to bay
I and the noble animals made no effort t.
, harm him. But seeing his pursuer
coming up, he made another dcsperat
attempt to save himself. In an instan
the hounds were on him, and when tn
, sheriff and his men at length arrive
> they found two dead hounds cOvere
! with knife wounds, and the third boun
|. uninjured, save for slight stab. wit
: his fangs firmly fixed in the throat {
= the dying criminal. The remark til
= sheriff made at the time Is worth pae
9 Of explanation:
!. "That fool just flung his life away
Fl yhting three dogs with barlow knit
Why didn't he keep still"