The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-17
RIDING AFTER COYOTES.
AN ExcIrTNG SPORT FOLLOWED IN
SO UTHERN CALIFORNIA.
and More Intrresting than = Fox
Chnsr-C oSote- Run Like the WInd and
Put Up - Fight when Cernered.

bids fair to become firmly intrenched and to
mako the southern country famous for this
manly recreation. For several years hunting
In the saddle has been encouraged In this Soc
ton by those who have been familiar with East
ern hunt clubs. rs the Radnor of Philadelphia
and others, and several hunt clubs have been
established here that bid fair to be permanent
institutions and to add much to the pleasure Of
outdoor life when large game has been hunted
out. Fox hunting. rs followed in the East, Is
impossible. The foxes are the mountain vari-
ety-tree climbers and will not run. but the
sportsmen find a good substitute In the lowland
wolf, or coyote. that is a swift runner, u rero-
cious fighter. and as gamey as one desires.
A few mornings ago there was n private meet
In the San Gabriel Valley. Most OF the party
went out from Los Angeles In traps OF various
kinds. having had their horses sent ont the
night before, and by : O'clock the little hamlet
of Lincoln Park presented a gay scene: fair
women and brave men. shapely mounts. glad
dcning tho eye Mt every turn. while under the
old oaks stretched the pack Of big hounds. al
ready anxious for the fray. Several OF the
guests were members OF Eastern hunt clubs. to
whom possibly the day. considering the time
of year, was n revelation.
Lincoln Park stands at the head of the San
Gabriel Valley, overlooking Pasadena, and a
fairer view and outlook never rejbiced the eyes
of the hunters. To tho north rose the Sierra
Madres, a green wall Of verdure 5000 or 5000
feet in height, cut and scared by innumerable
assures and calons, with its new wonder. tho
Lowe Railroad, marked on its face. while down
the valley, like sentinels, lowered the lofty
peaks of San Antonio, San Bernardino, and San
Diego, from 10000 to $4,000 feet in height.
capped with white masses of snow that stood
out in striking relief against the deep blue Of
the early morning. The air was tempered with
a peculiar s%oftness. and An Eastern huntsman
took out his diary to assure himself thasi II was
December.
The sun was just rising over the range when
the master of hounds OF the occasion rang a re-
sounding blast from his horn. and the hunt
moved out from beneath the trees into the street
Of the little settlement. whose Inhabitants
looked sharply out OF upper windows, wonder
ing what 1t was all about,
lying between Pomona and the Franciscan Mis-
sion hills to the south-a long, low, miniature
coyote during the daytime. while Mt night it
roams into the adjacent towns and out upon the
orange groves turned the hunt. the sun now up
and rapidly filling the deep cations of the main
range with light. chasing out the shadows and
producing a continuous Kaleidoscope of tints
and shades. Passing great vineyards the hunt
spread out on the broad plain that reached
haze. caused by the evaporation OF the moisture,
which served to exaggerate everything. A
sheep looked as large rs a COW, and every OBJ
ject appeared several times its natural size.
AS suggested, the theory or the master OF the
hounds was that the coyotes came out OF, the
hills at night, plying their vocation around the
outlying houses, and even -ventnring into the
heart of the towns to bear off some unfortunate
turned to the hills, and the sportsmen had high
hopes of meeting one or more of thene ma
rated and were eoSering Several hundred Yards
of country, moving on in a line ahead Of the
hnntsmen; who were taking It leisursly and ex-
master of the hounds, who was slightly IN adj
vance. pulled in, and Instantly every dog looked
The leader pointed ahead, and there in the
haze was an object that Looked like a large
sheep standing perfectly still.
Its II coyote. but too far away. He would
wine US al over this country: and the dogs. too;
ana besides reach &c the hill :, a ,nasd % or rs" called
"W hats to be done. then = uueried an i'm
Turn off a little" was the reply; pretend
We are leayins;, but get between aim and the
hills if possible"
up on the animal without appearing to notice
him. Then one OF the greyhounds, suddenly
seeing the game, shot ahead. and a second later
n score of sleek forms were bounding on. fol-
lowed by the entire field in a wild race.
True to his instincts, tho coyote headed
newly ~ploughcd field. acrosst the old country road
and away into a stretch OF country after bis own
especially designed for neck and leg breaking.
Tie pace was fast and furious, and five minutes
served to PICK ont the winners: some feil by
well in with the hounds, and had a fair opportu-
nifty for observing their magnificent work.
the right. now put his horse over a wash and
down a fairly good road, distancing all the
object was soon apparent. as suddenly he dis.
and came out ahead OF the coyote. and,
Win an e]xdi,a9t boIIna blast ,nd tr %Ii. the hsra hGrn' turned m med
the hunt down the valley parallel with them.
The dogs seemed 70 understand the situa-
prevent. the coyote from gaining OIL them. and
finally, by u desperate burst OF speed from the
pack. he was turned to the north. with only the
Sierra Madres, 1--WE miles away. as vantage
ground. a shout of victory went up from the
he was lust beginning to show his bowers Of
speed, and was moving along Ike n streak OF
early morning light, while some ofthe dogs were
muscular hind limbs did not move so rhythml-
cally, and in several detection was strongly ap-
lad evidently been holding. back, now took tho
lead, and they shot along IKE "a a winiTIwind oyer
out by the winters rain, out again, laundering
in the heavy p%ioughed ground, lodging owl
A shout from the master of the hounds, and
the dogs we're seen to be making a MAGNIFICENT
mound, whose w~ind-swept tor, bare and I'M
compromising. rose ont OF tho wealth Of YER
beating of hoof4 on hard adobe. shouts as a
horse cleared II deep gully. cries of encourage
ment as the hounds rushed to the front then
NV AANNN WI 'fA'N $3.50. h t' NA' INV VI
the hill was reached. and. with a vicious snap,
brought the coyote to bay. A few seconds later
the gamey wolf was the centre of a ball OF
writing. yelping mass OF animation, The mas
ter Of the hounds was in first. and dismounted
as his horse stopped, rushing into the fight TO
save the dogs.
The coyote was Mt hay, and for n few moments
his fRvors with no sparinE hand. snap
piug this side and that, his ugly teeth closing
Ike II steel trap, but generally meeting through
the smooth coats Of the greyhounds until they
were covered with blood,
The master of the hounds was soon in tho
midst OF the melee, pulling away valuable dogs,
applying tho whip to Others, and endeavOring to
reach the coyote to save them all. But the big
blue dog was not to be thrown of, and held on
to the coyotes throat until the fierce brute re-
Taxed and fell limp and, lifeless, game to the last
When tho entire field came in the pumping
and breathing from horses and dogs filled tho
the latter lying about, their red, tongues
hanging out, utterly wiuded, recognizing their
owners only by faint w~agging Of their tails,
It was n line run, and everybody, including the
dismnunted, the long, well-haired brush
being given 10 The first lady in.
This possibly is not as melodious as follow
Ing "A fox with a good pack OF foxhounds," re-
marked the master Of the hounds. " but there Is
more excitement. There, are no fences. but
look at the bitches, ! call my horse the Artful
hO is SO skIlful in getting over holes