The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-02-11
INDIAN rlcReRos.
How They Spear Pumss and JsRuafs d
Costa Rica Forests.

How They Spear Pumss and JsKuafs IN
Costa Rica Forests. '
A couple Of spears, one long and one
shorter, made the equipment OF the
tigrero. Their dogs were big. slouch-
ing. light-colored animals, were evil
IDENTITY related. related to the coyotC.
Dangerous rather than savage, not
prone to bark, they perform the role Of
house dogs badly. The Don assured us
that puppies will not bark at all unless
taught by others. But they learn at
once. thus differing from the thorough
bred coyote. which can only howl and
whimper in the first generation OF
domesticity, and seldom succeeds in
learning THE bark until tho third.
We asked why one dollar was granted
for slain puma. and but fifty cents
for q jaguar, seeing that the latter ami
NAL is so much more dangerous and
destructive. 1t appears that, in the
fashion of hunting to which these In
dians obstinatcly adhere, the less ter
rible beast causes tho greater loss OF
life. Tigreros go in couples. the head
man in advance with his two spears,
tho subordinate following with his
machetc or chopping-knife. The jaguar
is easily tracked, and does not go far
when reused. So soon as it is thor
oughly conveyed to his mind that these
intruders wish to see him personally he
turns with a roar that always gives
sufficient warning to such practiced
shikaris. A moment afterward he
comes trotting up. The foremost In
dian kneels, holding spear in either
hand. the long one farthercst out-his
companion stands at the side. The
iaguar does not pause, bnt gathering
himself up, clcaves the air in mighty
bound. his fore legs wide esunder and
claws hooked to rend. Very seldom
does it happen that the long spears fails
to transfix his unprotected chest, or tho
shorter one his throat.
Such is not the puma's conduct.
When disturbed he skulks swiftly
through the brushwood, and commonly
escapes. In following jaguar dogs
are seldom hurt, for he disregards
them. and they have no need to press
him. But the puma turns constantly.
massacres a hound, and speeds on
again. Even if wounded he is slow to
stand; but when brought to bay at
length it is more deadly risk to face
him. For this combat the spears are
useless. Springing with his paws
crossed, the puma would dash them
aside. His feet firmly planted. knife
in his left hand, machete in his right,
the Indian stands forward. He has
one blow. in midair. If it fails-if the
skull be not cleft like an apple-brute
and man roll over in hideous embrace.
At such time tho comrade seldom,
wanted in jaguar hunting would be in:
valuable. But when an Indian sets out
Intentionally to track II puma he goes
alone. So did his fathers and so does
he.
Very. very rarely jaguar springs
with his paws crossed. and then there
is wailing in the tigrero's hut. For the
spears upon which he relied are twisted
from his grasp, and the huge beast
falls upon him kneeling. If the COM
padre with the machete be true the IT,
ger has probably two victims instead
OF one. The single chance of these
poor Indians lies with their dogs, and
it is but very small one. Jaguars
with this uncomfortable habit are
scarce. however-if it be more than an
accident. None Of the ranchero's In
dians had seen q case. though that fact
proves little. Witnesses of tho phe-
nomenon rarely survive. BelgrHvia.