Wichita eagle., 1889-03-30
-139 NORTH = MAIN STREET.

mount my mule, IN order to follow them as
best | could, but my guide assured me there
would be no need Of my departure for some
time, as the dogs, getting bothered with the
different scents, would play around IN
circle before leading off, and even then it
was more than likely they would not have
to go far to find the gorged beast of which
they were in quest.
"Ichura was right. For half an hour |
heard the yelping of the dogs, first in one
direction and then another, but none of
them appearing 20 be at any considerable
distance, though gradually charging the
area of their explorations.
"At length there came those peculiar
cries which assured the experienced hunter
that his canine assistants had struck a
sure scent, and clapping his hands with de-
light, my guide exclaimed:
"'There they go, master! there they gol
and now it may be we shall get early
news of the killing rascal. Come on
now, masterl follow me as fast as you can
Can the dogs do any thing toward mas
tering such ferocious beast?' inquired l.
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 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.
60 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 a small hill, we saw them frisking
about a ledge, some half way down on the
opposite side, with the Indians quietly
standing back, apparently awaiting our ar
rival.
50 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 display of
Indian bravery in assailing the ferocious
beast in his den.
as And how viii he attack him therer in
CURED l.
''' He intends to enter and spear him to
death replied Ichura, proudly.
81 had heard something of this before;
but when l saw it about TO be put in prac-
tice, and considered the strength and agility
and ierceness of the animal, / 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 10 prepare for the
terrible contest Putting aside his crown
of feathers, his bow and CULVER, wrapping
one of the sheepsklns about his left arm. and
firmly graspiug 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. I
and then we heard the low, sullen growls of
the beast, gradually growing fiercer and loud +
err. till at length they burst out into wild, /
angry roar. This was instantly followed /
by several piercing human yelts or shrieks, /
comminged with the short, sharp, snarling
growls of savage beast in actual combat,
and by thrashing, scufiing sound. as of
two bodies fiercely contending. This lasted
for perhaps a minute, during which nv
very hair seemed TO stand On end. and then
came gurging, 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
ont the bloody form 81 the hunter. whom at
first / believed 10 be one mass of mangled
flesh. But such was not the case. Though
frightfuily lacerated in two or three places,
the gallant fellow was neither dead nor
mortally wounded, and in the course of if
teen minutes was able TO sit up and con-
verse with his friends.