Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-10-13
SET THE sKUEKs AFIRE.


opSCb3 hhtA MnVoC dittSNu bhth -
querulous squeak, has survived the
drought probably because he burrows
and eats the roots that have failed to
send up sprouts for other animals to
feed upon. The jack rabbits that
were innumerable few years ago, are
seen no more; they have either starv-
ed to death or migrated. Even the
coyote bas become a rare sight on the
prairie, and when one of them lopes
across the road he is a scraggy, lean,
dispirited old tramp, Without energy
enough to yelp around camp fire at
night.
The disappearance of the coyote
from this part of the country may be
accounted for. About three years
ago a citizen Of Deming turned loose
three NANCY dogs under circumstan-
ces that insured their enrolment in a
coyote pack, and the disease has PROV
ed fatal to the wild dogs. 1t has
swept them off as the smallpox de-
stroys whole tribes of Indions, and
their carcasses are found lying about
the water holes almost as thickly as
the bodies of starved cattle. NANCY
coyotes, like NANCY dogs will not
breed, and therefore the natural in
crease has been checked.
The reasons for the very notable de-
crease in numbers of the skunk are
not so obvious. A few years ago, when
the plains were strewn with Slaughter
ed buffalo, the skunk was perniciously
prevalent. His lack of fear Of man,
and his calm audacity in walking into
camp made him the terror of the
prairie. Ordinarily this animal is sim
ply unpleasant company, but the skunk
of the prairie is positively dangerous
and the COW puncher is as much afraiC
of him as Of rattlesnake. The bite
Of skunk is YenomOus, and has prov
ed fatal in many cases, probably be
cause of some-disease of the animal o.
because of its habit of feeding upor
dead animals. There is no danger o
being bitten by skunk when one i!
awake and upon ones feet, but al
night when wrapped in blankets anC
asleep near the camp fire, a manR
hand, cheek, or any other exposed flest
may be bitten by hungry skunk.
The disease that made the skunk {
venomous yarmint may have been one
Of the chief causes of his disappear
ance, for within elast year there hai
been marked decrease in the RIM
bers Of skunks throughout the dry re
gions Of the southwest. In this place
however, other causes have been 20
tent in their determination, the chic
of which is coal oil.
Over at Cow Springs there is al
adobe house not regularly occupied
but used by the COW boys when round
ing up on that part of the range. Tha
is, the house has not been humanity in
habited for some time, but it wa
regularly infested by skunks until tn,
foreman of the Diamond A outfl
evicted them. A cat was left there I,
keep the house clear of yermin, bu
solitude was too much for her, and sh
fraternized with the skunks. Whel
the COW punchers arrived at the adob
after hard days work on the round
up they found the cat and half doze
skunks occupying the Kitchen an,
chasing each other around under tn
loose board floor. Any attempt t
drive out the skunks would simpl
make the house Hninhabitable, an
the boys acknowledged that they wer
"sure buffaloed." They camped
the corral.
But one night Martin Mullen, til
foreman, went TO Cow Springs wit
! the outfit, and when he asked the boy
why they didn't go into the house an
. cock supper on the stove they tol
. him that two or three skdnks wer
there.
"Why not take them out, said Ma
tin.
Texas Bill chuckled and allowe
e that he didn't banker for the acquaiI
tance Of skunks, and Red Jack intin
/ ated that the chief end and aim Of b
existence was to meet man WI
could tell how to take a skunk out (
a kitchen without serious consequel
ces.
"Just 60 in and pick the skuak U
by the tail and carry him out" sal
Martin, in tone implying that ar
man that didn't know that was q
idiot. 1t was a clear case Of blui {
Martins part, and he started away
eyade explanations, but the boys ca
ed the bluff too quickly.
"S'pose you show us how" said TIE
as. II know little bit about tall
]. bulls, but I'm plenty ignorant abol
tofIfoi ..l,tutra an i mini foo prottd