The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-06-06
GIRL LAssoEs A LION.
Young Woman on Texas Ranch HISS
a Thrilling Experiences.

pony.
Al wouldn't have thrown rope over
that old lion for deed 10 the biggest
ranch in Texas says Colonel Hall,
the veteran hunter Of that region.
1t is one Of the nerviest exploits in
the history Of western cattle queeIs
and women who hunt in game Ire-
serves. The Southern Texas G.ttle
Association has presented Miss DiOrn
with gold-mounted revolver and has
sent to the City Of Mexico for the finest
side-saddle that money can buy TO pre-
sent TO ''the grittiest girl on Texas
ranch"
Old John Diorn, as he is called, owns
large ranch and several thousand
head>Of cattle, located on the western
plains Of Texas. about the headwaters
of the tributaries Of the Guadsloupe.
He has three handsome daughters who
have been locking after his herds for
several years. X has been the boast Of
these girls that no mustang has ever
been able TO shake one Of them from
his back. They are all fearless riders,
and few trained cowboys can hurl a
lariat with the unfailing precision of
any one Of this trio of pretty girls.
Since the death Of an only brother
Julius Diorn, who was killed by cattle
thieves few years SgO-these fearless
young women have ridden after their
cattle, repaired windmills, killed wolves
and frequently branded calves, doing
the work perhaps better than it would
have been done if entrusted 70 hired
cowboys.
They are all good shots, and it is sell
dom that one Of them sets out to gallop
over the range without having Win
chester or a revolver lashed to her
saddle.
One Sunday morning not long ago
Norma, the oldest Of the three, started
out on ber pony to ride the wire
fence of a small pasture couple Of
miles from the house. "Riding a wire
fence" is making a tour Of inspection
to see that the wires are all up and the
posts solid. As the girl started out she
swung the belt OF her Winchester over
the gate post, remarking that she was
not going far and wouldn't need a gun.
She was hardly out Of sight before an
immense Mexican lion sprang out in
the road in front Of the pony. The
beast gave few loud roars, aud then
disappeared in the direction of a small
bunch Of cows and calves.
81 was thankful enough that he did
not attempt to make a meal of of me,''
said Miss Diorn; land that would have
been The end Of our acquaintance IL he
had not started out to chase q white
COW that is a pet on the ranch
Starting her pony at full speed and
yelling at the lion as if she possessed
the power in her voice to paralyze all
wild beasts, she rode straight toward
the terror-strieken cattle, coming up
with them just as the lion sprang upon
the neck Of calf, crushing it to the
earth.
The old cows instantly charged the
lion, and the mother Of the calf gave
him such an ugly thrust with her
sharp horns that be was forced 10 re-
linquish his hold on his prey. The
sight of the trembling, frightened little
calf aroused the girls ire, and, swing
ing her rope over her head, she rode at
the lion, threatening to tear him to
pieces il he did not let her cattle alone.
Doubtless expecting that the report
of gun and the sting of bullet would
follow such awful threats, the lion
started toward old Mexico as if he had
suddenly remembered some important
engagement. observing that / had
him on the run, )" says Miss Diorn, II
concluded to scare the ugly brute out
Of the country"
SummOning all the strength of her
lungs, the girl screamed at the lion and
urged her pony after him. The beast
frequently looked back and snarled
thresteningly, but he failed to find
courage enough to offer battle. sud-
denly it occurred to the girl that there
was no reason why she could not choke
the lion to death. An attempt was
worth making, for this one monster
was capable of destroying hundred
young calves and yearlings in a single
night.
Suiting her actions to her thoughts,
she swung her lariat over her head,
and as the trained pony sprang for
ward at his greatest speed, she sent the
rope Kissing through the air and drop
ped the moose with certain precision
about the lions neck. The pony in
stantly braced himself on his haunch-
es, digging his forefeet in the ground,
and the lion turned somersault, strik-
my the earth with his head toward his
pursuers. The girl hoped that she had
broken the beasts neck, but he was
only badly stunned, and the pain that
he suffered seemed to increase his rage
and courage. Crouching and emitting
roar, he sprang into the air with all
his strength, expecting to land on the
pOny's neck and tear his pursuers into
fragments The agile little horse
turned just in time to feel the claws Of
the lion grazing his launches.
All western horses entertain a horror
Of these lions, for one of their tricks is
to lie in ambush upon a limb Of tree
near where the horses are in the habit
of drinking. From these hiding places
they fall upon young colts and devour
them. The Texas pony knows the
Mexican lion, and he fears him more
than all other enemies.
So, instantly, as the lion sprang for
ward, the pony began to run. The
rope was tense, and if she had wished
to do it the girl could not have unfast-
ened the lariat from the saddle horn.
Moreover, she knew the chances were
that if the lion was released in its state
Of rage, he would tear the pony and
herself to bits.
Realizing that her life depended upon
the strength and speed Of her pony, hes
leaned forward and urged her fright
ened mustang to do his best.