Gardnerville record. (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1898-1902, 1901-12-27

penetrated here from the roof, for most
OF the inner doorways had only draper.
les In my dining room WAS great
wooden meal chest. nearly empty and
large enough to hold six or seven per-
sons at once. II Lolita and could get
there, thought l. we are saved.
| seized the child, ran with her Into
the dining room and crept into the
chest. Unfortunately 1t had a spring
lock, SO that / was forced to hold the
lid open with my left hand TO guard
against its locking and Immediately
sitting us. But II had more than an
inch of outer rim, which completely
hid my fingers.
1t WAS not moment too soon. We
were scarcely hidden when heard the
great claws scratching along the floor.
and the hungry smiling of the Jaguar
showed me that he was IN search Of
food.
He came straight to the chest and
paused moment, as II he feared Z
trap. Then he put his head close to
the small opening, so that could feel
his hot breath. He sniffed awhile and
then tried TO raise the lid with his
paw.
How trembled. But, thank heaven.
the great paw would not 60 In the mar
row erevice. and held the cover fast
by elinging to the inner part OF the
lock with all the strength of despera-
tion. All he could do was to stretch
out his tongue and lick my fingers un-
til they bled as IL they had been
scratched by n saw. And then, as he
tasted blood and heard Lolita cry-for
my poor darling was Just as frightened
as was-hls eagerness increased, and
he began to utter piercing yells. which
sent ley chllls over me-
] wonder why the fright did not kill
me, but the touch Of I.ollta's little arm
around my neck seemed to keep up my
courage.
Still the worst was yet to come.
When the jaguar found that he could
not reach me from below, he sprang
upon the chest. His huge weight
crushed my fingers between the two
parts Of the lock. Then l thought all
was over and shrieked so that my cries
rang through the whole house.
But my cries were presently answer
ed by sound which made my heart
throb with Joy-answered by the bark
Ing Of our bloodhound. The jaguar
heard 1t, too. for he sprang dawn and
stood for moment listening, then ran
TO the door as II to Zee.
Again came the sound of the dogs
bark = this time nearer - and at the
same time the voices Of men calling to
each other. Contrary to expectation.
they We're already coming back.
Meanwhile the jaguar seemed to be
bewildered and ran wildly to and fro
Suddenly loud cry came from one of
the windows. followed by Two shots
and fearful howl; then my husbands
voice anxiously called
"Cachlta, where are youy'
had just strength enough left to
get out OF the chest. drag myself to
the door and let my husband In. Then
swooned away.
They told me afterward that our
bloodhound found the jaguar's trail.
leading straight back to the house, and
they all hurried home at full speed.
fearing harm would come to me.
My husband and Jose came In front
OF the rest and shot the jaguar through
the window. but my husband told me
that when he saw the animal In the
house he felt as IL stifled.
l could not move a joint of that hand
for many weeks afterward The Indl.
ans gave me medicine to heal It, and
they say that after awhile | shall be
able to use 1t again. did not need
this injury to make me remember that
day. II were TO live thousand years,
! could not forget the few terrible mo-
ments that | spent in the chest-mo-
ments that seemed to comprise an eter.
utty Of terror