The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1890-03-22
THE WESTERN PUMA.
Something Concerning His Habits
and Enemies.

Ranchmen Disdain to Use the Rife Upon
Him, Hut Lasso and strange Him-A
Western dudes "Reminiscences.
"Most any cur dog. big or little, will
tree a painter: then while he sits up
there on big limb. watching the dogs
cavort around, you can sneak up and
shoot him in the head. A lAsso's the
cutest thing to snare painter with on
the rum"
The speaker, my guide in the South
west, was one of those men sometimes
met with in the backwoods or on the
frontier, so surfeited with wild life that
they see little remarkable in their adj
ventures and take every thing in camp
life very much as matter of course.
John possessed that truthfulness that
comes from y disposition to look at all
things logically, and never knew him
to exaggerate, even when telling snake
stories. He was. aud had been all his
days from boyhood, great hunter,
noted as the most successful and expe-
rienced for miles around. His wagon
loads OF wild ducks, geese and turkeys
were famous. the game being all killed
by himself and his brother. In his un-
educated way he was both naturalist
and sportsman and besides many hunt
ing tales and interesting geological
facts. he related to me his experience
with that great tawny cat, the puma or
panther. which is not unfrequently met
with in the great prairie district.
The panther in search OF small game
will not unfrequently wander to some
distance from the thickets of MESQUITE
and black chaparral that in miniature
forests of often great extent serve him
for hiding places. Sometimes the we'll
mounted ranchman, while pasture rid
ing. spies the great cat thus out of his
element and, swinging his lasso, makes
straight for it. The panther at once
retreats for the brush, but it does not
take long for the speedy mustang to
overtake it There is a serpentine
lengthening OF the coils OF rope and
the moose settles gracefully over the
panther's head, while on the instant
the mustang comes to quick halt. and |
the cat is brought up with jerk that |
tightens the rope on his windpipe and |
lugular. A momentary struggle fol- |
lows and the horseman wheels about |
and gallops of, dragging and stran-
Cling the Inflated feline. Only blow
back OF the ear is further needed to |
settle the panther, and the skin. minus
bullet holes, is worthy trophy of the
asso. This seems rather an ignomini-
,us death for such a dangerous beast.
)ne would rather hear of him standing
It bay. avoiding the swift lasso and
proving himself game enough for DOW
Ter and lead. The hunters of the South
American pampas are said to catch and
rill the panther with the lasso, or with
hat more formidable weapon, the
,olas
But 1t is we'll known by all hunters
u experience that the panther, in spite
4 its sfe and strength. is a coward.
With the wildcat and bear it has
earned that weaponed man is the sort
4 animal to keep away from rather
han to spring upon. 1t has learned,
90. that barking dogs are closely
associated with man and it fears them
ccordingly. and to that extent that
mall whiffet or terrier will easily tree
and keep it there till the hunters ap-
roach within gunshot. Only on GER
ain occasions will panther stand its
round against dogs. and then though ,
ne pack were legion and all fierce !
loodhounds. This is when it is hum
~ and in possession OF some tempting ! ,
zeal Of which it is about to partake.
~ guide remembered an instance in
'hich three large hounds we're killed,
sveral severely wounded and the rest |
the pack put to fight by panther {
lat had just killed a calf. But even /
such q time. at sight Of q man it will I
eneral BY make on, sometimes, II possi- e
e taking its prey along. 1t seems asi
le animals cowardice IL often brought |
bout BY its disposition to keep out Of ,
row Il there b nothing to be gained ,
getting into one. Az with all car !
vora. the panther has very keen ]
ent Either its fondness for fresh .
eat overmasters its cunning or it has B
y learned to scent man specifically, 4
: It viii walk right into the presence d