The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-05-03
Of arrows, a long spear and a knife,
were his hunting implements.


for, could not imagine then, but
had n chance to sec it used before
night.
"Ashunters and dogs were all eager
for the sport to begin, the sagacious
brutes were led to the spot where the
jaguar had made his midnight FEAST
and were then set free. of course the
scent was strong. and with many Il
wild, joyful bark, yelp and howl,
away they went pell-mell, nnd the
hunters after them, leaving me alone
with Ichura, my faithful guide. !
hastened to mount my mule, in order
to follow them as best could, but
my guide assured me there would he
no need Of MY departure for some
time, as the dogs, getting bothered
with the different scents, would play
around in IL circle before lending off,
md even then it was more than like
ly they would not have to go far to
find the gorged beast of which they
wcr" in quest.
"Icllurn was right. For half IN
hour, heard the yelping of the dogs,
first in one direction and then anoth-
cr, but none of them APP
pearing to he ut any consitl-
cradle distance, though gradually
charging the area of their explora-
tions.
at length there came those pecul-
iar cries which assured the expert
enced hunter that his canine assist
ants had struck n sure scent, and
clapping his hands with delight, my
guide exclaimed:
" There theygo master! there they
go! and now it may he We shall get
early news of the mule killing rascal.
Come ON now, master!l follow me us
fast as you cam
Can the dogs do anything to-
ward mastering such II ferocious
beast? inquired l, as spurred my
mule OH after the quickiooted 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 II time the dogs gained on us
so much that feared they would get
away from lis entirely: but after push
ing on for an hour. making the best.
speed 1 could through the thick
wood. heard them louder than ever
away to our right.
al think they have him at
last. said Ichurn.
another quarter of an hour. dur
ing which We all the time seemed to
be gcttin" nearer to them. and then
suddenly, on arising n small hill. we
saw them frisking about the ledge.
some half way down on the opposite
side, with the Indians quietly stand
ing back. apparently awaiting our
arrival.
"On our joining them. Contantiu
informed my guide. who also acted
as interpreter between myself and
tho Indians. that the jayuar had Ell
tered a hole among the rocks. and
that now the white senior would
have an opportunity OF witnessing Il
display Of Indian bravery in aS>ail-
ing :he frrocious beast in his den.
land how will hcattnck him there.
inquired ].
"lIc intends to enter and spear
him to death! replied lchura; proud
ly.
Il had heard something of this he
fore: but when l saw it about to be
put in practice. and considered the
strength and agility and ferccness
of the animal, ] could not avoid IL
sludder at the awful fate that seemed
impending over the daring advent
urer. Even while the guide was
sp, aking, Cotantin himself began to
prepare for the terrible contest. Put
ting aside his crown of feathers, his
bow and CULVER, wrapping one of the
sllecpskins 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
IL few words to his companions, who
formed themselves in defensive atti-
tudes around the entrance, and then
dropping down on his hands and
knees, gradually disappeared.
"For some two or three minutes
there was Il dead and ominous 81
lence, every one seeming to listen
with suspended breath, and then We
heard the low, sullen growls of the
beast, gradually growing tiercer and
louder, till at length they burst out
into wild, angry roar. This was
instantly followed by several pierre
ing human yells or shrieks, COM
mingled with the short. sharp, snarl-
ing growls OF Il savage beast in act
ual combat, and by thr,shing,
scuffiing sound, as of two bodies
tiercely contending. This lasted for
perhaps minute, during which my
very hair seemed to stand OH end,
and then came IL gurgling, gasping
groan, Il human yell, and all grew
still as death, which l believed was
there in it's most bloody ADD repul-
sive aspect.
Zone OF Cotantin's companions
now quickly disappeared in the dark
opening, and presently returned,
carefully drawing out the bloody
io III vi ChC iuulei, WuOln Ut IITSU
believed to be one mass of mangled
flesh. But such was not the case.
Though irightfully lacerated in two
or three places. the gallant fellow
was neither dead nor mortallv
wounded. and in the course of fifteen
minutes was able to sit up and con.
verse with his friends.
ut had been a hard fight between
him and the beast. but he had con-
guered, aud the jaguar was dead.
When the latter was dragged out, all
grim and bloody, and stretched up
on the earth before me, inspected
him closely-body, limbs and teeth
and secretly thanked God that ] had
not been his assailant the night be-
fore. made Cotantin and his com.
panion some handsome presents. and
then, proceeded by my guide, rode OH
to Cozva, and rejoined my servants
that same evening. IN. Y. Ledger.