Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-26
Up the furrow.

From the New FORK Sun.
The half-breed and I had been away from
camp for several hours. leaving only Sam, the
colored man, there, and were returning oy the
mountain trail. The last bend in this trail
was seventy or eighty rods to the west Of our
camp and 200 feet above it, and We instinc-
lively paused for a look
There were the two tents, the horses and
mules picketed beyond. smouldering camp
fire, the negro lying on tho broad Of his back
with bis head toward u.s. 1t was o'clock in
the afternoon OF q summers day. Sam was ap-
parently DOING. for it seemed an effort for
him TO raise q hand to brush away the flies
which persisted in settling on his face.
We were about to 60 on, when Joe suddenly
caught his breath and grasped my arm and
pointed to a spot about half way between the
base of the bluff and the camp. There was a
sort Of natural drain or furrow running along
the earth. deepening in our direction, and
here and there was bunch OF weeds to prove
little dampness. The grass was grsener, too,
but not high enough to shelter q rabbit
1t was half minute before could make out
the cause Of Joes alarm. Then my eyes rested
on q full-grown mountain lion working his
way up that furrow. He had already accom-
plished half the distance and Just At TIA,
moment lifted himself almost erect 10 take q
peep at the negro.
Let rs cry out and warn him." whispered.
ut 10 too lAte!" replied Joe. ''Should he eet
up the beast would be upon him in . fash r.
Then shootr'
ut is too far"
You have seen Q hunter stalking game, but
here was fierce and hungry wild beast stalk
ing defenseless man. The Scene was a plain
and clear before rs Is if the distance was only
q stones throw After the first few words we
we're silent. After the first move TO use our
rifles we simply waited. We certainly intended
to do something, but--waitI see.
1t Nssa sight ever to be remembered TO watch
that lion making his way up the furrow. He
advanced foot by foot. He fattened out until
to be cured, and he dragged himself along the
earth. You knew he moved, but you saw no
motion except that of his tail Moving ahead
or lying quiet, the tail switched back and forth
with scarcely seconds interval. About every
minute one Of the negro's hands was lazily
raised and waved across histface. When this
happened the lion, who could plainly See the
black paw sweep the air, settled down - il to
spring. In the intervals he crspt forward.
We stood there like men Of stone and saw the
distance decrease foot by foot The lion had
yet hundred feet to creep when my mustang,
feeding at least 800 feet from the other edge Of
| the camp. raised his head and shifted the air.
| The scent Of the lion had come down 70 him.
He must have seen Us, as We stood ont In plain
| view, but he did not whinny, - both Of u
feared he would. Half minute later Joe 70
pony also got the scent and started Of at
| 8 fast walk. The lion remained - qutet - II
dead for full minute, waiting 70 sc II the
movement Of the horses would arouse the
man. Il did not Sam had grown more drowsy.
and his hand was raised at ionsss Intervals.
Now the tufted tail waves 70 and fro again,
and nov the distance y again decreased
Foot BY foot, and ] hsvs forgottsn
everything else on Earth in watch
nov hfty-nov forty--nsw the Lion has
settled down for . lsep which vill lAnd him on
tho body Of the slssping man, when hear the
| crack Of rife, sss the beast rsar up and fall
shaking knees and palpitatng hsast Il was Joe
Who fred the shot from his 6ld-fsshioIsd, long,
bsyrellsd ride. he had only the faintsst hope,
bat Il Was dead shet the bullet entering thc
back Of tie bod
twitehing q We reached H. spek Never 6ad
huntsr In the vest seen largGr len, He -
the strength 70 pull down buNale ball n
nsgrey We fousd hin sound aslssp, e eoursa