The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-08-03
BAFFLED By !: (:
/: /: i: 4 PUMA.

1hoAoLa - yOoi D~AOiCt oua hO was
now the sole owner of the Lone
Mountain Ranch. where one evening
he sat smoking with his friend, Mat
thew Quin.
You have come at just the right
time, old chap" said Kenwuod, In an
swer to remark of Quin's. "A couple
OF pumas have been carrying off my
sheep lately, and III help you to bag
them, IL it can be done. And If You
care for other sport-man-hunting, for
instance-you can try your hand at
Black Barton. the highwayman, who
is operating in this end of the Terri
tory. He has held up four stage
coaches In as many weeks. I'm afraid
he's too cunning to be caught, though
there is heavy reward offered for
him. dead or alive"
Il shan't trouble Black Barton" re.
piled Quin, "but 1 want those pumas
badly. Hamrach & Co. have an or.
der for them"
The puma-or California lion. as 1t
is sometimes called-is large, tawny,
yellow beast, larger than panther,
with a reputation for strength and
ferocity. But the pair that lurked in
the foothills north Of Lone Mountain
Ranch, came to speedy grief, once
Quin set to work. Within a week the
female puma was taken in a cleverly.
constructed box-trap baited with q
A,A Ill To- l. hrn NJ IA ~
ish cubs. found in rocky den half
way up precipice, shared their
mothers captivity.
A warm, sunny morning, several
days later, witnessed the departure Of
Kenwood's guest for the little settle
ment of Peak City. 40 miles to the
southeast, which was connected by
stage with the nearest point on the
railway. A large four-wheeled vehi-
Gle, drawn by a pair of mules, was in
charge of RUDE Darrell, a strapping
big fellow of the cowboy type. loud
voiced, but sound at the bottom. The
forepart of the wagon was heaped
with bales of wood, and the puma and
her cubs, confined in stout wooden
box, occupied the rear.
A tight clasp of the hands and a
few quiet words of farewell marked
the parting between Kenwood and
Quin. The latter climbed to the mar
row seat of the vehicle beside the
driver. and examined the fastenings Of
a leather bag tat was strapped round
his chest underneath his coat. 1t con-
tanned some hundreds of dollars. in
gold and notes. that he had consented
to take charge of for his friend as far
as Peak City, where it was to be
turned over to branch of New York
bank.
Keep your eyes peeled for Black
Barton, old man." he said, with a
smile. "He shan't get your money"
vowed Quin, patting the stock Of his
revolver. "I'll take care of that all
right
The crack of RUDE Darrell's whip
cut into the conversation and sent the
mules off at a trot. All went well un-
til early in the afternoon, when a
heavy rain came up. At sunset the
travellers descended to the valley Of
the Deer river, a tributary of the Vel
lowstone, and were dismayed to find
it a muddy, raging torrent, several
feet above its normal level.
"Confound that storm" exclaimed
Darrell. But the food will go down
i,,ck oh nrrinL a. "
care to wait couple of hours. If
not, why, reckon can find the ford.
What do you say, pardner?"
Quin hesitated. Peak City was 10
miles further on, and just across the
river the road threaded a narrow,
rugged gorge with steep hills on either
side. He was reluctant to go through
this after dark, nor did he like the
idea of spending the night where he
was; Kenwood's bag OF money was
not light responsibility.
What is your opinion?" he asked.
81 think we can do it. pardner," was
the reply.
Then go ahead!"
The mules plunged into the swirl
ing, yellow tide. For third of the
distance they kept to the fording.
Then they deviated, tried to struggle
on until the wagon swung round. and
the water surged over the bottom
boards.
Its no use-we1l never make the
Shore" cried Darrell. "Stick where
you are, pardner. I must give the
poor beasts chance for their lives"
With that, drawing his knife, the
plucky fellow leaped down upon the
submerged pole, and with a few
strokes he succeeded in cutting the
mules loose from the traces
Meanwhile Quin was chiefly con-
cerned for the safety of his compan-
ion and of the pumas. The wagon
floating lightly down the stream. sud-
denly struck a narrow bar of grass
and gravel that lay In mid-channel,
then over it went, and off slid the
bales of cotton and the box Of pumas.
A quick jump saved Quin and OAR
rell from a thorough wetting, and
landed them hip deep. The two fought
their way ashore, and shook their
dripping clothes.
The thought of the pumas sent
Quin hurriedly back to the upper end
of the bar, with Darrell at his heels.
The cubs were whimpering with
fright and discomfort and the dam
was in a ferocious mood.
The sun was below the horizon now,
and darkness came on quickly. In a
little hollow of the island, 20 feet or
so from the stranded box, some res.
cued bales of cotton were placed In
a semi-circle to keep off the keen
night wind. Then. having eaten the
few biscuits that remained from their
lunch, the castaways made themselves
as comfortable as possible, and in
spite of their wet clothing they pres