Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-08
TWO GIRLS OF NERVE.
They Unearthed and Slew Wildcat That
Had Killed Horse.

I-dul'N, uduE ultlS vi Out vi llC sun
ftantial farmers of the Bob Creek coun-
try, few miles from Pueblo, is told of
with much praise for the plucky girls.
They are Illinois girls, and have been
here but about year. Their fathers
ranch is in valley among the foot hills,
and is almost surrounded by bluffs and
Uncovered promontories sloping back
from the creek.
The two girls, aged about 90 and %,
were left alone last week by reason of
the court session, and took charge of
the stock during their fathers absence.
This was nothing new TO them, and they
went on with the work as usual. The
first morning after the departure of
their father, however, they were horri-
fed TO find that one of the finest horses
in the corral had been killed during the
night, and great tracks showed that
some wild beast had committed the dep
relation.
That night they sat up part of the
night, but without seeing anything. In
the morning, however, there was an
other horse killed, and the remainder Of
the herd in a condition bordering on in
sanity. Determined to Sift the matter
TO the bottom, they locked up the house
and, taking rifles and plenty Of ammu-
milton, put on heavy boots, and started
to track the dcpredator down. They
followed the footprints to the foot hills,
and then upa diagonal path into glen
covered with Il thick growth of pine.
The canon had PERCEPTIONS sides and a
narrow. Sand-cOyered path along the
stream, which cOurSed down the centre.
II was not hard to trace the footsteps,
and cautiously they followed the trial
until they were several hundred feet
above the level of the creek and OF the
ranch.
The tracks led to an open space flank
cd by high walls Of red rock, and sud
denly disappeared. In vain they tried
to discover an opening somewhere. At
last the elder of the plucky hunters
climbed the wall and stood twenty feet
above her sister. There on level plat
she saw circular hole leading into the
rocks and apparently into den. Both
examined the aperture and decided that
they had found the home of the prOwler.
But was he at home? and what kind of
creature might they find it to be?
The questions puzzled them for some,
time. but, finally, Carrie under
took to solve the difficulty by
throwing large rock into the
cave. II went reSounding down for
some feet. and then there came an omi-
nous sound that made both the girls
turn pale with alarm. 1t was not the
growl Of bear; i. was blood-curdling
and human shrek that reSembled moth
| ing they had ever before heard.
For some time they debated as to the
course best to pursue. One was for coy
ering up the entrance 10 the den and
starving the creature to death, but il
was by no means certain than another
entrance did not exist. Then it was
proposed TO fire into the hole at random
and trust TO luck TO hit the mark. But
all these propositions were abandoned
and they determined to punch up the
animals" and see what would result
trusting to their rifles to protect them
in case they were attacked themselves.
\ long pole was found and stuck care
/ fully through the aperture into the den
Both girls had a hold on it, and they
were prepared to drop it and seize then
loaded and cooked rifles the moment
anything showed in the gloom beneath.
Maude had brought with her lariai
thrown around her shoulders cowboy
fashion, thinking, perhaps, it would
come handy, as, indeed, the leatherr
thong often does in mountain districts
Let us tie the lariat on" said she tC
her sister.
"What for? We do not want to LOSE
it, too"
"Well, there may be necessity fol-
pulling the pole out again, and besides
we do not know deep the hole is.
The logic seemed good, and Carrie
acquicSced. The lariat was attached &c
the pole, and they commenced to lower
away. Down it went to the full length
of the piece Of wood, and then three OF
four feet Of lariat was paid out, when
suddenly the same horrible shrek re-
sounded, and they felt the pole seized
by some strong power beneath. They
braced themselves on the edge of the
aperture and held on.
Whatever the creature was it had
good teeth and was evidently pulling its
best to get the pole and lariat away
from its prosecutors.
"Shall we let go?' asked one of the
fair hunters, anXiously.
Not much" was the reply. w,
have his teeth set on the wood, anC
probably he won't let go. Wen pull
him out"
This startling proposition was easier
made than carried out, as, in spite Of
their best efforts, they were unabl,
to stir the lariat one foot in their direc
ton.
'I'n tell you what TO do" said Car
RTE: make pulley
But howe" was the reply.
There is tree almost above us. Pu
the lariat over the limb and pull thu
creature out.
This looked feasible, and while on
held the line taut the other threw the
remainder of the rope over the liml
and brought it down on the other side
Now" said the generalisSimo of The
new strategy, you get me the rifle
and well see what We can do
There was some danger of falling
down the cliff, but they did not thinl
of that, and both put their weights OF
the lariat. 1t moved. The limb OF The
fir was bare and smooth and 10 friction
was taken into account to hinder theil
strength having its utmost force. Incl
by inch they lowered their side of thu
thong, and inch by inch the up
per end of the pole prOtrudeC
through the aperature. Scream
ing, clawng, and bowling the!
heard their game approaching, anC
their excitement grew unit! they coulC
hardly raise the heavy weight. Blu
they continued, and, when it was seel
that they were almost at the end Of
their labor, Maude, the heavier, was
left to pull, while Carrie seized the rifle
Holding it pointed at the hole she
waited for the next lift.
1t came, and suddenly striped, cat
like head appeared in view. The teeth
were embedded in the pole, while the
most terrific anger and determination
showed in the ferociouS features
Without moments hesitation she
fired at the near mark, and, with an
other wild shrek, the animal let go its
hold and fell, clutching and clawing, to
the bottom.
Down with the pole! | hit him,
she called, and in moment the bait wa:
again at the bottom of the den and had
been seized by the maddened creature
Again they pulled it up, but its cries
were weaker, and when it reached the
top they pulled it entirely out before
firing. The second ball went crashing
through its skull, and it fell to the earth
dazed for a moment. Partially reviving
I hnl