The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1892-10-28
HUNTED BY A HOUND.
"The man eater is madp

HUNTED BY A HOUND.
"The man eater is madw
looked at the tall Texan apprehen-
sively.
"Are you certain" asked.
81 know it. 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. 1t 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 Sallie?" | inquired
anxiously.
sob, that's all right" replied Bolton
carelessly. "Sallie took her pony and
went off 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.
/ 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. 1t 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 start when he
saw me and looked away.
"You yellow rascal" shouted; "you
had my horse last nightr'
mo, senor."
"You are lying!"
"No, by all the saints, senor."
"Then where were you at midnight"
81 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 l cared to ride, and made up
my mind to walk
l had left the ranch several hundred
yards behind me when l turned and
looked back. Even at that distance
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 a 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 off | could see hill, the
only one in all that fiat 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.
''That sounds like the man eaters
barkv' | exclaimed. Again l heard it |
and stopped a moment.
For an instant my muscles were par
alyzed-I was absolutely unable to move.
A thousand horrible thoughts rushed |
into my mind. If this mad bloodhound
was on my track my case was hopeless
| could not get back to the ranch; there
was not a tree in sight and the hill was
still miles away. What was to be done?
summoned all my strength and made
run at the top of my speed | kept on
as long as could, and then paused to
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 about
him? Would he pursue the trail or be-
come confused and give it up?
These thoughts inspired me with
faint hope. If the dogs slow progress
enabled me to reach the hill, where there
was timber, could climb tree, or DOS
sibly he would be missed and his master
would ride in pursuit.
From one point where there was a
gentle rise in the prairie could see in
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 at
fault He would stop and run back a
few yards and branch off aimlessly' in
every direction. But this did not last
long. After series of eccentric move
ments the hound would get on my track
again and rush forward. He was gain
ing, and my chances of reaching the hill
began to look gloomy.
For the next fifteen minutes | did
some good running, but when turned
to cast backward glance | could see
the dog more plainly than ever.
One thing encouraged me; he did not
appear to see me, but Numbered on in
clumsy, dazed sort of way.
There were no streams to cross-noth-
ing that would throw him off the scent.
had no weapon, only a small pocket
knife, and fight with mad dog was
out of the question. My strength was
giving out, and felt that the end was
not far off.
When | again looked back the dog
was not more than 300 yards away, and
,he base of the hill was still mile off.
A spasm Of terror seized me, but to
ny surprise the great brute suddenly
'at down on his launches and howled
olaintively. 1t was a minute or two be-
'ore he found the trail again. If his
nalady had dimmed his sight and con- !