The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-28
FIGHT WITH A PANTHER.
Heroic Boys Encounter with the
American Lion.
st. Nicholas.

Frank, accompanied by the three great
hounds, did not hesitate to charge this
formidable and sudden enemy. But the
effect was not what he expected. Instead
ing larger and more terrible the nearer
he approached, faced his foes fercely,
crouching above the slain sheep, ready
to spring, and yelling screams OF demoniac
ferocity. The mustang stopped and roar
ed, then stood snorting and trembling, and
could not be forced nearer. The great dogs
rushed on. And Frank sat in his saddle
and watched the fight, unable TO assist, too
fascinated TO fly.
Now he realized the ~imprudence of
leaving his arms. and repented his boy
ish folly in despising discipline founded
upon experience.
Old Strategy was the leader of the
three dogs. His wise brain did the plan
ming for all. and never did soldiers obey
a chief with more careful attention to
signals of command than the other two
great dogs gave to him. He was the
~fieetest Of the three. Reserve, who ran
in the rear, and always waited the proper
time to limp and seize, was the most pow
erful. Skirmish, the lightest Sf the
trio. made it his business to distract the
quarry bv flushing feigned and real at
tacks all over him, here, there and every
where, to provoke openings for the other
two.
opened wide, and the Frightening moon
shed a distant glimmer over the scene
through the mist that rose from the wet
RTdSS. OlSGlOSll6 Al AuSC AlOullAdln llOI
standing over his prey, with 1attened ears.
snarling face, teeth cleaning, claws widely
spread, mad with hate, menacing the dogs.
And now Old Strategy, warily observant.
crept. growing, directly in front of the
angry lion, tempting and haunting him to
spring. Nearer-a little nearer yet. Sew
eral times the lion seemed TO leap, judging
by his lashing tail and settling launches;
but Skirmish distracted him with a sud-
den feint, or Reserve threatened his flank.
When each dog had a good position, Old
CtrnfnOy nFnVnkad a loan hN Gfr1Han
movement. The lion sprang, body, limbs
and claws spread TO strike. But Old Strait
egg was not there when he alighted; and
the lion did not alight where he aimed;
for the moment he leaped Reserve and
Skirmish dashed in and caught him In the
air, one on his flank, one by a hind knee
joint. and held back with such force that
all three rolled along the grass.
Before the lion could retaliate, all three
dogs We're once more out Of reach, TO re-
peat their provoking tactics.
For half an hour this furious little battle
was continued. Leap, charge, rush. or
strike as he would, the worried lion could
not bring his treacherous assailants TO a
close. But for a few insignificant scratches
the dogs were unhurt, but the lion showed
many marks of the conflict. The dogs gave
him no rest from their incessant attacks.
Occasionally one of the dogs would lie
down., painting, and rest himself, while the
other two kept the game going. but their
adversary was not permitted "A moments
breathing time.
Gradually the tormented night prowler
grew weary and faint. His own fury helped
the dogs TO exhaust him, for each effort he
made Increased his rage, until he became
a veritable demon of hate, and spent in
useless screams the breath that he needed
for battle. As his powers diminished those
of the dogs increased. Their rushing. lean
ing grips were more confident, more fire.
quent. and more effective.
A little later brave Skirmish made such
a prodigious feint in obedience TO some
secret sign from Old Strategy, that the
lion whirled to strike at him. This gave
Old Strategy his chance. He fastened the
first grip upOn the throat of the great cat
keeping his own body behind and partly
under the head of his foe, while Skirmish
dragged at a hind leg. and Reserve put all
his weight and force into a grip over the
loin. stretching their enemy helpless for a
moment-but only for a moment. As soon
as the great cat could muster his tired
strength he drew his powerful body into a
curve and thrust at Old Strategy with his
flashing hind legs. compelling the dog to let
go. But the instant Old Strategy was
pushed off the painful grip of Reserve at
his loins made the lion curl down again. to
strike with his fore paws, when Old STRAIT
egy pinned his throat once more from the
other side.
So in five minutes more the battle was
ended, and the three dogs had again
proved their right 10 the proud distinction
of being the only dogs that could kill a
fuil-RrOWn mountain lion.