The morning call., 1891-07-13
CAPTURE OF A CONDOR.
How AIbOsO, a Brave Peruvian
Boy, Won Medal.

few years ago the district of Coquimbo,
which Is situated on the equator, was in
tested by large condor which for long
time had given the people great deal of
trouble.
1t was early morning when Alboso, an
agile, bright-eyed Peruvian boy, looked I'D
from the door OF his poor, matched hut and
saw on one of the dark mountain peaks an
object which appeared no larger than ball.
The boys eyes glistened. and no wonder, for
he knew that the distant speck had life in
it, for it was the king condor of the Cordil-
leras, and the very one for whose head the
Governor had offered such handsome re-
ward. be resolved to attempt his cap
ture that very day. Alboso was not larger
than tue bird himself, but his limbs were
plant and strong, and he had performed
some feats that had excited wonder in the
neighborbOod.
The father that morning had gone as
usual to the bankers camp, but before de-
parting had killed and dressed a calf, Ieav-
Ing the fresh skin hanging against the hut.
The boy thought of this while he watched
the condor, and with The recollection came
plan worthy of being tried.
For boy, and mite like Alboso, the
deed seemed impossible.
Full of glee he stole back into the hut,
and unperceiyed, possessed himself of his
fathers bolas and a good rope. Then he
took the calfskin from the pegs on the side
of the hut and turned toward the mount
ain. The load was all he wanted to DRAG,
but that gold medal seemed TO dance before
his eyes.
Not far from the hut lay a little strip of
scanIy pasturaee, but 1T was now unten-
anted, Tor the family, never rich. had sacrl-
hced It's last sheep some time before. The
pasture lay at the loot OF the mountain, and
and here, almost directly beneath the con-
dor ON the spur far overhead. willy Aiboso
spread his lure. He had brought with him
several bits of meat. which he made ia st to
the hide, and having cut Sits through it for
his hands, he took final look at the condor
and crept under the skin.
During the next twenty minutes there
were several sly peeps at the bird on the
boys part, and during the last one the little
hunter telt his heart in his thro1L for the
mountain perch was vacant and the king of
the Cordilleras was in midair.
Presently Abuse saw the glossy black
ness OF the cOndUTS feathers as the warm
sunlight touched them; the dull reddish
and wrinkled skin of head and neck and th1
large Comb which surmOunts the cOndor's
head. All these parts were on a grand
scale to the boy, and he knew he had lured
from his home tile very bird which had
given the Governor so much trouble.
With his gaze riveted on the meat fastened
to the calfskin, the great bird continued hi,
descent until at last he bounced upon the
prize.
Now had come the exciting moment. The
heart OF little AlboSo seemed to stand still,
and for long time he lay perfectly quiet,
as If afraid TO stir. Not very far off, though
the boy knew 1t not, breathleSS and filled
with fear, the Peruvian mother crouched in
the shadow of brush and held her breath.
She knew her boy was brave, but she had
never dreamed that he would attempt To
trap the great condor of the mountains.
Meantime the little fellow under the skin
was not idle. Watching his opportunity. he
put his hands through the sits and began t.
secure the yellowish legs of the marauder.
This was not a great feat for the condor
was too deeply employed 10 take notire of
anything, and AlboSo succeeded
Now the 'tug-of-war" was at hand
Proud OF his victory, Albos0 began to creep
from beneath the side, and all at once, leap
ing to his feet with shout. he uncOiled his
bolas and commenced the attack.
The surprise of the lured condor was coni-
plete, and the next moment he was maxim!
desperate effort IS 10 escape. The large wings
almost struck the eager boy in the face aud
so disconnected him that several throws OF
the boias were unsuccessful.
At this juncture AlboSo caught sight of
his mother anxiOusly looking OH, but IT.
solved 10 let him fight the battle with the
condor without assistance Her presence
encouraged him, and approaching the bird in
his eagerneSS he was struck by one of the
black piniOnS and sent almost head over
heels Oh the grass
The next instant the Peruvian mother
rushed forward, but Alhoso was soon on his
feetagain, and the next throw OF the boIas
proved the best throw of all, and the kim
of the mountains was a captive. But not
then even did the monster bird submit To
the inevitable, and it took the combined
strength of mother and boy to bring him to
terms.
We have him now. mother" cried Aldo
so, when the condor had ceased to struggle
See what a fine prize he is; but think what
a nice medal the Governor has offered Ter
the cOndorp'
Alboso was dispatched to the barkers'
camp with the news of the CONDOR capture,
and the quinne hunters came down in force
and made a strong cage for him.
News of the capture had preceded the
young hunter, and when he reached the VII
lage lie found the Governor and his escort
drawn up in the square to receive him, and
there the reward was paid and the gold
medal orde struck at once.
When this had been done the Governor
passed sentence on the condor, who was
turned over to the public executiOner VIII,
beheaded him in the presence and amid the
shouts OF the assembled people, while
Alboso, the deliverer, was lifted upon the
shoulders Of tue men and paraded in sight
of al-N. Y. Telegram.