The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-02-11
INDIAN TIGREROS.
How They Spear Pumas and Jaguars il
Costa Rica Forests.

COSTA Itlca FORESTS
A couple of spears, one long and one
shorter, made the equipment of the
tigrero. Their dogs were big. SLOUGH
ing. light-colored animals, were evil
IDENTIFY related related to the coyote.
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 a true bark until the third.
We asked why one dollar was granted
for slain puma. and but fifty cents
Tor 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.
dams obstinately adhere, the less ter
rible beast causes the greater loss OF
life. Tigreros go in couples, the head
man in advance with his two spears,
the subordinate following with his
machete 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 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, cleaves the air in mighty
bound, his fore legs wide asunder 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 a jaguar dog.
are seldom hurt, for he disregard:
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 tt
stand; but when brought to bay a
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 then
aside. His feet firmly planted, knife
in his left hand, machete in his right
the Indian stands forward. He ha
one blow, in midair. If it fails-if thu
skull be not cleft like an apple-brut,
and man roll over in hideous embrace
At such time the cOmrade seldom
wanted in jaguar hunting would be in
valuable. But when an Indian sets GU
Intentionally to track a puma he goe
alone. So did his fathers and SO doe
he.
Very, very rarely jaguar spring
with his paws crossed, and then ther
is wailing in the tigrero's hut. For thu
spears upon which he relied are twisted
from his grasp, and the huge beas
falls upon him kneeling. If the com
padre with the machete be true the ii
ger has probably two victims instead
of one. The single chance of thes
poor Indians lies with their dogs, ant
it is but a very small one. Jaguar
with this uncomfortable habit arr
scarce, however-if it be more than al
accident. None of the ranchero's In
dians had seen a case, though that fact
proves little. Witnesses of the phe
nomenon rarely survive. -BelgraUia.