Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-10-03

He Was Upon Me-"
plump CROUCH. | had just as soon there
had been cows along as we'll, for old
bulls of any game are rank and tough.
Still. he had a fire old grizZled head,
and let fiy at him. Down he dropped,
with his pear foreleg smashed. bnt this
did not prevent him from getting up
and making off at a good pace. His
dangling leg, however, bothered him
considerably, and after going for about
half mile he lay down, as expected
he would do If did not press him.
He did not appear to have made out
whence the shot came, for, though he
looked in every direction after he lay
down. he was not satisfied. 1t was
some distance back to the wagon, and
I decided to return for my horse; and
when had ridden to within viewing
distance, saw that my prey still lay
where he had dropped or nearly so.
He regarded me attentively. and did
not rise until l got pretty nearly up to
him, when he rose very stitfiy. | then
gave him another shot, which, owing
to my horses uneasiness, missed him.
and the wounded animal. realiZingwhat
was up, set his head down and came at
US like miniature buffalo, at as good
a pace as he could with his shattered
leg. These wiIdebeestes are remarka-
bly, savage, and their curious set OF
horns and shaggy front make them
look specially ferocious. My horse did
not like his appearance at all. and
had quite a job to load and manage
him. At last. however, | got another
Cartridge in and ended the poor crea-
lures misery.
While riding back with the carcass
sslnng across my saddle pommel. / shot
AT and wounded leopard which was
Skulking among the thorn bushes. But
although I dismoUnted and followed
the bloody spoor for some distance
eventually lost ali trace Of him. Re
ferring TO leopards reminds me Of ar
escapade / had with one of these
creatures some time previously, fur
ther south AS is so frequently th'
case, / had been much disturbed dur
ing the night by prowling animals
(which I found out were leopards.
was exasperated by the loss Of m.
best dog, and made up my mind. ]
s.possib1e. to get 4 fine skin and aveng
I his death at one and the same time
SO. making hurried breakfast AM
leaving my two Ruffin boys in charg
of things at the skerm, set out witt
the only dog I now had left. TIL
spoor, which was plain enough in tn
sand, led away toward the river
which on either side Is bordered for
quarter of a mile or 50 with wait-a-b
thorus and underbrush. After going
mile or so. my dog showed extra eager
ness, and pulled up at a tree. the bar
Z of which was all scored by the claw
kof leopards. A lot of porcupine quill
1za1sO lay around. showing that M
quarry had recently made u meal, {
which I was glad, for I thought
should be more likely to find him laz
and lying up. and hence easier to mai
age. A little further on came to
kloof or ravine, which / had to j.
sceDd and ascend.
Before I reached the top the dog r.
X gan barking, and hurried up, as we
az as / could over the loose stones, for
did not want to lose my only renal
ing dog. He. however, came bac
yelping, Just as gained the top OF II
! bank, and mt the same time ] caug
sight OF the Leopard, which was ma
ing across the open for patch
fhorns about couple of hundred var
distant. / was somewhat out
breath from scrambling over the II
= even ground, but. taking as caref
aim as / could, fired. / knew ! hi
hit him all right, even IL he had Il
stopped and bitten at the wound;
the shot was too far back, as well
too low. At the same instant
caught sight OF me, while /, not +
ishins his looks. hastily pushed In 0
vother cartridge. ] had not my truf