The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-10-16
DIGGER INDIAN TASTES.

DIGGER INDIAN TASTES.
California Lion Adventure which
Ended in Feast.
While travelling on the Pacific Coast
some time ago in search OF health anq
useful information found myself, late
in the Autumn, at Basis Station, on
the Saltwater, in Shasta County, Cal.
A more delightful place can hardly be
imagined. Becoming attached to the
little settlement, remained there for
some time, and in company with Mr.
Bass and his son-in-law, Mr.. Dunning,
made many excursions into the sur
rounding country.
One day we started out on a hunt
ing expedition, well mounted and arm
ed with Winchester rifles. After sew
eral hours Of different sport we came
to a deep spring at the foot Of an over
hanging rock and shaded by widely
spreading tree.
| II must have drink" said,
stopping my horse and springing to
the ground, and without noticing that
my companions were riding on I
placed my rifle along the edge of the
spring, knelt down upon it, bending
over began to quench my thirst. All
at once there was a slight rustling in
the leaves over my head, then rush
ing sound in the air, and before I could
look up or change my position it
seemed as though a mountain had
fallen upon me.
was borne down into the water,
my face and head being submerged,
and then 1t was that felt the sharp
claws of some wild beast piercing my
| flesh and it's cruel teeth fastening
themselves in my neck. With great
difficulty managed to raise my head
above the water and gave utterance
to a. shrek as never passed my lips
before, and the next instant l had
the satisfaction of hearing the sound
of rapid approaching footsteps. Then
there was a pause, then the sharp re-
port of q rifle, and the animal on my
back, with a cry of rage or pain,
leaped to the bank and darted off
through the chaparral.
1t was California lion: and it was
not my cry alone that had brought
my successor, for at sight ofthe beast,
my horse, with neigh of terror, had
started off in the direction taken by
my companions. Seeing the riderless
animal they had stopped and turned
when my cry reached them, and
throwing his bride to Bass Mr.. Dun
ming had leaped to the ground and
rushed toward the spring with his
rifle ready. was out of the water by
the time he reached me, and, though
badly wounded and shaken was burn
ing for revenge.
"Come," | said, picking up my rifle,
'let's track that cowardly beast and
put an end to him; never can go
home satisfied if we do not"
"All right" was the reply; "come
on, if you feel able, l think we can find
him again."
At that moment we heard the crack
! of Basis rifle and knew that he was
on the track of the beast. We hurried
forward and came up with Bass Just
in time to see the lion take to q tree.
Nov we have him." said Dunning,
and running to the tree we began to
salute the wild beast in it's branches.
Dunning succeeded in breaking it's fore
leg, and my second shot brought it
tumbling to the ground quite dead.
Its yours" cried my friend.
| "What will you do with it?''
'Td like it's skin, replied, ''to take
East as a trophy"
'"That we can MANAGE" said Mr..
Bass, provided We can get the crea-
ture home"
II think my horse will carry it,"
said Dunning, and we attempted to
put it on his back. The animal made
great fuss at first, whinnying and
trembling in every limb, but at last,
when it's master had mounted, it con-
sented to 60 along quietly enough.
My horse was soon recovered, and an
hour later we arrived home safely
with our game and deposited it on
the ground back Of the barn.
"Now," said Bass, "well leave it
till some Diggers come along, whom
we can easily get to skin it and pre-
pare the pelt."
Two days passed with no signs of
an Indian, but on the evening of the
third day, when the game was no
longer fresh, Billy Button, q smart
young Digger, came along with Red
Bird, his blushing bride, and old Big
Head, his father-in-law.
"Now we are all right" said Mr..
Bass. and mailing the trio he called
them back of the barn, where, point
ing to the dead lion, he said:
"Skin him; how much?"
Without a word Billy drew his
family to one side, and having filled
his own and his fatherin-law's pipe.
they squatted on the ground and
smoked them out; then, after few
muttered words between them, he
arose and, approaching us, said:
lone dollar"
TOO much," rejoined Bass; flour
bits"
The Digger turned away. Another
pipe followed. when he came up again
with 'six bits"
NO" said Bass, firmly, 'four."
Again Billy returned to his family
and, after the usual pipe, informed us
that they would do the lob for fonr