Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-04-10

that his canine assistants had struck q
sure scent, and clapping his hands with de-
light, my guide exclaimed:
There they go, masterl there they gol
and now it may be we shall get early
news OF the mule-killing rascal Come on
now, masteri follow me as fast as you can.
Can the dogs do any thing toward mas.
terlng such ferocious beastr inquired 1,
as spurred my mule on after the quick
footed guide
No, master; they can only track him up
to his tree or hole, and then it remains for
the hunters to make an end of him.
For time the dogs gained on US so much
that l feared they would get away from US
entirely; but after pushing on for an hour,
making the best speed could through the
thick wood, heard them louder than ever
away to our right.
"' think they have him at last said
Ichura.
Another quarter of an hour, during
which we all the time seemed to be get
ting nearer to them, and then suddenly,
on rising small hill, we saw them frisking
about ledge, some half way down on the
opposite side, with the Indians quietly
standing back, apparently awaiting our ar
rival.
On our Joining them, Cotantin informed
my guide, who also acted as interpreter be-
tween myself and the Indians, that the
Jaguar had entered hole among the rocks,
and that now the white senior would have
an opportunity Of witnessing a display of
Indian bravery in assailing the ferocious
beast in his den.
$50 And how will he attack him thereP in
CURED /.
"' He intends to enter and spear him to
deatt = replied Ichura, proudly.
81 Ead heard something Of this before
but when saw it about to be put in prac-
tice, and considered the strength and agility
and terceness of the animal, l could not
avoid shudder at the awful fate that
seemed impending over the daring advent
urer. Even while the guide was speaking,
Cotantin himself began to prepare for the
terrible contest. Putting aside his crown
OF feathers, his bow and CULVER, wrapping
one of the sheepskins about his left arm, and
firmly grasping his spear in his right hand,
he walked boldly up to the mouth of the
dark pit or hole, spoke few words to his
companions, who formed themselves in de-
fensive attitudes around the entrance, and
then dropping down on his hands and
knees, gradually disappeared.
"For some two or three minutes there
was dead and ominous silence, every one
seeming to listen with suspended breath,
and then we heard the low, sullen growls of
the beast, gradually growing fiercer and loud
er, till at length they burst out into wild,
angry roar. This was instantly followed
by several piercing human yells or shrieks,
commingled with the short, sharp, snarliug
growls of a savage beast in actual combat,
and by thrashing, scuf1ing sound, as of
two bodies iercely contending. This lasted
for perhaps a minute, during which my
very hair seemed to stand on end, and then
came gurgling, gasping groan, human
yell, and all grew still as death, which be-
lieved was there in its most bloody and re-
pulsive aspect
Zone Of Cotantin's companions now
quickly disappeared in the dark opening,
and presently returned. carefully drawing
out the bloody form OF the hunter, whom at
first believed to be one mass of mangled
flesh. But such was not the case Though
frightfully lacerated in two or three places,
the gallant fellow was neither dead nor
mOrtally wounded, and in the course of fif-
teen minutes was able to sit up and con-
verse with his friends.
at had been a hard fight between him
and the beast, but he had conquered, and
the jaguar was dead. When the latter was
dragged out, all grim and bloody, and
stretched upon the earth before me, in
spected him closely-body, limbs and teeth
and secretly thanked God that had not
been his assailant the night before.
made Cotantin and his companion some
| handsome presents, and then, preceded by
my guide, rode on to Cozva, and reioined
my servants that same evening"-N, Y.
Ledger.