The sun., 1897-12-26

from his breast near the left shoulder was the
h and hRf foot Of the blade Of
buried in the creatures body
1T is a mountain tain ttserma panther tiger the
tion to the shape of the creature, which was
that OF a huge panther. although the skin had
the jaguar spots. They are the worst of all
1T was easy to sec though he displayed tho
very proud of his performance. as indeed ho
had a right to be. Seldom has n sword 5lnan
been called on to meet SO Formidable an attack q
try to take the jaguars skn although offered
to assist the Captain If he cared to set about 1t.
ward saw 1t hanging in his quarters at Caracas.
with all his inreterate ferocity and blood
the jaguar has refrained from attacking human
beings whom he has met face to face. while at
them; indeed, has displayed something like
n%%sa Fs5 SSSsSs SnS II
on the Apure River. She had gone from her
hut to the mata, or woodland a mile away for
she gathered sticks she heard among the trees,
some distance away, the deep purring sound
she could detect the beasts stealthy approach
through the underbrush. She knew that there
was no use in her running away sn SO she stepped
pen. The light cracking of twigs and bushes
came nearer and presently on the further side
Of little, forest opening the jaguar appeared.
He seemed aware of the woman's presence. but
did not rush upon her at once as she expected
degrees, occasionally stopping to dig among
the tree roots with his paws tearing up the roots
and scraping at them as if to sharpen his claws.
"At last, as If in play, the jaguar bounded to
the tree which sheltered the woman. and
clutched its trunk with with both bot paws. Instantly
off one of the jaguar's paws. With scream
the beast sprans back. Then, as he darted for.
machete down on his head with all her force
and as the jaguer, partly stunned, struggled
blow until he fell dying. The woman got
ssGarcely so much as scratch In the encounter
sn maS se T~ e Me
the skin and two claws, preserved az sou:
yenirs of the woman's bravery, In the hut OF
Another instance in which a jaguar for
bore to attack human being IN his power was
that of Tomas Departo, cattle herder Of tho
ltdnos, or plains, of the Apure country; While
him a At long s distance from the ranch House, and
SO he prepared to wait until morning in the
shelter Of g mGta, 1, one Of the clumps , Of wood;
there on the pampas. Picketing his horse on
the plain away from the trees, he rolled him
sleep under n tree, where he slept sOundly until
morning. As .sleepiy. he opened his eyes, in
that some one was near him. Then he opened
his eyes very wide at the sight of an immense
nss HIM. wR his hepd Gss resn On his
Without stirring from his place the Hanero
slipped his hand down TO his side ana got hold
Of his knife. Then keeping that in readiness
of his poncho. I was II long job. for he moved
very slowly and carefully to avoid exciting
the jaguar who lay quietly watching him. As
he worked the man kept slippns the loose folds
Of the pOmchO up between him and the jaguar
TO serve as shield should the creature spring on
him. When free at last from the blanket the
man suddenly rose to his feet and dOdycd be
him tho J,oHcho which he held by one corner,
the jaguar, who up 10 this time had lain per
fectly still. bounded forward. seized the blanket
with claws and teeth. and played with II, toss
ing il about like II kitten in sport. Presently
the aguar ran up 10 tho forks Of "A tree near by,
and as his attention still seemed fixed on tie
iJOnchO. tho man took the opportunity 10 back
the tree as much he could between himself
and the inguur When he got to the horse he
did not wait to saddle or bride II, but Jumped
upon the animal and gallOped away bareback.
He the idgunr, still in the forks of the tree.
looking at hm ms he rode away. The WdnrrO
came back with several companions on the same
day, carrying lassOcs and maChetes with which
could not be found. His tracks indicating his
great size, were imprinted ABOUT the place and
| the HdHcrO recovered his saddle and the pOHrLO,
| which was torn by the jaguar's teeth and
claws. The carcass Of u calf II short distance
| away, that had been killed the day before ana
partly eaten, showed that the iaguar probably
| was tGll fed when hc came upon the sleeping
herder. Having neither proyocation nor hun
| ger TO incitc him to attack the man. the beast,
| attracted perhaps by tho gay cOlOTs of tho
| ponchO, had apparently lain down to watch IL
| at leisure. 4 sim lar theory would account for
the jaguHr's behavior in the case OF the woman
| OF Las Matas whose story have told