Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-11-03
HUNTED BY A HOUND.

looked 81 tne tall Iexhn hpprenen-
sively.
care you certaing' asked.
81 know ii. had my suspicious yes
terday and now there is no doubt Of it."
This was serious. The man eater was
the largest and most ferocious blood
hound in Texas It was hard enough to
control him at any time. but mad--I
shuddered at the thought
My weeks visit at the Bolton ranch
had satisfied me that my host really
cared for only two things in the world
his daughters and the man eater.
Where is Miss Sallie2" l inquired
anxiously.
"Oh, that's all right" replied Bolton
carelessly. "Sallie took her pony and
went of for ride an hour ago, and the
hound is safe enough. took. him by
the collar Just now and locked him up
where he won't get at anybody. But it
breaks me up, old fellow; / wouldn't
lose him for anything"
My interest began to weaken. Miss
Sallie was safe, and the dog was locked
up. What was bloodhound to me? If
the savage monster died, so much the
better.
I walked off to the stable. A ride
over the prairie was not to be missed on
such morning, and there would be
chance Of riding back with Sallie.
But was doomed to disappointment,
My horse was lame. It did not take long
to convince me that somebody had been
riding him the night before.
Just then Pedro came in sight. The
ugly little Mexican gave a start when he
saw me and looked away.
"You yellow rascalr' | shouted; ''you
had my horse last nightr'
mo, senior"
"You are lyingr
"No, by all the saints, senor."
"Then where were you at midnight%
al was attending to my business,"
snapped Pedro.
He looked so viciously mean and SO
impudent that gave him light cut
with my whip and told him to get out
of my sight. He muttered something
and skunk off. There was no other ami
NAL that cared to ride, and made up
my mind to walk.
had left the ranch several hundred
yards behind me when | turned and
looked back. Even at that distance l
could plainly recognize Pedro. He was
walking around little cabin back of
the kitchen, and was apparently peep
ing through the cracks.
Looking at the man eater" said to
myself. 1T is good thing the beast is
locked up"
The bracing morning air and the level
prairie stretching out before me for
miles tempted me to take long walk.
A long way of l could see hill, the
only one in all that fat country. Why
not climb it and see what was on the
other side? Perhaps Sallie was over
there.
So walked on with swinging strides
for couple of miles.
Suddenly came to dead halt.
'sThat sounds like the man eaters
bark!' exclaimed. again l heard ii
and stopped moment.
For an instant my muscles were par
alyzed-- II was absolutely unable to move.
A thousand horrible thoughts rushed
into my mind. II this mad bloodhound
was on my track my case was hopeless
Icould not get back to the ranch; there
was not O tree in sight and the hill was
still miles away. What was to be done
/ summoned all my strength and made
a run at the top of my speed. kept on
as long as could, and then paused te
rest and listen. The man eater was com
ing my way, but not much faster than
could run.
resumed my fight. Would mad
dog have his usual keen instincts aboui
him? Would he pursue the trail or be
come confused and give itupa
These thoughts inspired me with .
faint hope. If the dogs slow progress.
enabled me to reach the hill, where there
was timber, could climb tnee, or pos
sibly he would be missed and his master
would ride in pursuit.
From one point where there was {
gentle rise in the prairie / couM see il
the distance moving speck.
1t was the man eater steadily follow
ing my trail!
My surmise turned out to be partly
correct. The animal seemed to be a
fault. He would stop and run hack {
few yards and branch off aimlessly il
every direction. But this did nod las
long. After series of eccentric move
.ments the hound would get on my tracl
again and rush forward. He was gain
ing, and my chances Of reaching the hill
began to look gloomy.
For the next fifteen minutes I die
some good running, but when turned
to cast backward glance | could sc,
the dog more plainly than ever.
One thing encouraged me; he did no
appear to see me, but blundered on in {
clumsy, daxed sort of way.
There were no streams to cross-noth
ing that would throw him off the scent
Ihad no weapon, only small pocket
knife, and fight with mad dog was
out of the question. My strength wa.
giving out, and I felt that the end wa.
not far of.
When again looked back the dog
was not more than 800 yards away, and
the base Of the hill was still mile off.
A spasm Of terror seized me, but tx
my surprise the great brute suddenly
sat down on his haunches and howlei
plaintively. 1t was O minute or two be
fore he found the trail again. IF hi,
malady had dimmed his sight and con
fused him there was still o chance fol
me, but it was q slim one. With tire
mendous effort broke forward on my
last run. This time 1 would reach ths
hill or turn at the last moment and die
making vain effort to choke the mon