The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-07-31

CNo luilliLouely sEIhiIg balls i,%q
edge of the brushwood, scar.I n u
feet beyond him, and behind W 4
could now dimly see the sinno. ueSe
creeping form of an imnenso- aos F
who was evidently bent unon J'gaa
an easily won meal off poor pa 4'sa
bound between himself and me- IA
Unfortunately | was fully ~
away from and on the wrong si5 % ~
terrified beast on whose saddle VII
precious rifle. No use maxim
for it. FL tigre las the native H6,s FQ
calls the jaguar) could reach bis ,up''
ed prey in a single bound. for vi. aFa
was already crouching. Hn -Ea
thrusting hand behind me to dr..
revolver, it came in contact v.;a %
empty holster. The pistol was VA
doubtless jerked out while ra. s'a
ing myself, feet foremost T Sla
some vine-bound aperture. too 1.
to at once admit my shoulders anu 1''V
occupied by other matters, 7 HAD ,@
missed it.
So there | was, armed onlv ~,
two-pound AK and a huntiDg-lrifs
to face with a full-rrown male t,n
by far the largest and most feroo ,s'a
all American felidae. a beast corns.
to which the so-called mountair PI y
(puma) is a mere kitten. D
ThGre was no TIM for delibo,,s
Knowing the generally cowardlr
ture of the brute, uttered ee-..
yells, any one of which would ceri,;,
have demoralized a human enemr =,
had an ear for music. and sfar,.5
ward the mule, hopire save him r..
the attack. But the great cat vi.
its bloody instincts aroused. ala :.
scare worth a cent. Before 7 had cor..
one-half of the 30 yards. # sr,,.
harshly screaming into the air a,
with outstretched taIo.s and gIo,n4
fangs, would have descended as
upon old Pete's back. had not he NJ.
almost human intelligence. or 7arb..
paralyzed by terror. sunk fat n i
ground; whereuplu The mons.
passed clear over his body and rol..
close to me, yet not quite within 81:
ing distance.
For one second the haHed brvsr
manned motionless. as ifHaeof7slh-
to act. Then, with q enarlmg cry I
rage. it once more crluehed. cr7-,,
gloatingly at me, as if this time rr
of victims.
With one foot advanced, and tbsa
held ready for instant use. I wate5tr
awaited the onset. knowing ory h
well that if I missed may frst Bror
should never have a chance for arofs
The suspense was short however
Again the iaguar gathered bis hi.
legs we'll under him. preparing tra
fatal spring. spring that was -7
made, for at that moment the cell
fiood-gates were opened; the rain as
down as if from an overturned ha
vivid lightning played around thega
in my hands, and a mighty crash.
thunder shook the earth itself
The tiger" seemed appalled, j.
as the cloudburst found him, with 1s
raised, arching back and retractei
parted in a fiendish grin, so be
manned while one might. perhaps o-
three. Then he straightaned cows
ly out and writhed partly around st
to fly.
Too late! Though weIl-nigh gg
whelmed by the almost solid shssi'
falling water and half blinded b!s
incessant lightning flashes, had1q
gered forward until the rayenous Hz
was within reach of MY l0Dg-hald.
ak, and, while he yet wayeNd intTa
olute bewilderment, I brought o
keen blade down with all my stTela
on his tawny neck, just back Of =
skull, severing the spinal cord andF
ing him, helpless and dying, at nyz
Twas a lucky stroke indeed EwI
rifle-bullet through his brain conia
have paralyzed the monster eat n@
quickly. Wise old Pete realized Y
changed condition of affairs at @s
With a half bray, half whitney dn
umph he rose from the ground Obi
gazed at his now dead enemy VITO
much pride beamiug In his honest
as if he himself had won theyidoP
But all the soluble part OF my al,
was spoiled, and h.I TO -is.
hunger on jerked beef washed ug-
with plain water; for nil the ''-l
of tea had not foataj off the 10y
the overhowed panu.er, j wou..
have been impossible 70 kindle aus
The tempest of rain soon ~.
away, and / then most ca'g-
skinned the jagpar; long and ''D.-
job, as l took great pains to pres
the beautiful pelt with aead' cI'"'
tail complete.
With the single exception Of o1
afterward killed in Brazil. 'lf
the largest jaguar have ever s,'-
gorgeously ringed and spotted
measuring from end of snou'
tip within a fraction of II teeL
Without further adventure n,
camp shortly before dark, and W
afterward. while cutting paths
big trees, my men found the %
volver. which, however. was "
ruined by rust.-N. y. Ledger
FREDERICK CITY MAXIM