The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1904-01-29
WOMAN A
FAMOUS HUNTER
Lady Constance Mackenzie Has
Lively Battles in Texas
With Wild Hogs.
DISPLAYS MUCH COURAGE
Many a Good Hunter Has Lost His
Life at the Same Sport in Which
She Has Been So Sue
cessful.

The recent hunting trip of Lady Con-
stance Mackenzie to the Larrels and Santa
Gertrude was Il memorable event on these
vast Texas ranches. For three weeks she
INDUCED in rough riding, hunting wild
Mexican hogs. chasing deer, and In win
shooting. In fact, she bagged game to
her hearts content.
She declared the sport better than any
she had ever enjoyed before. Chasing the
~javelina or wild hog was more exciting,
she said, than any Of her hunting exper-
fences in the Himalayas or the wilds of
east Africa.
She placed a correct estimate upon the
javelina when she enthusiastically said
that it was the gamest and boldest ami
NAL she had ever hunted, and she be-
lieved it to be one Of the most dangerous
that sportsmen are given to tracking. She
had several lively rounds with the wild
herds, and was in great peril on at least
two occasions.
Perhaps there is no class of game that
requires more courage, cooler judgment,
and more activity In the hunter than the
javelina, and for that reason Lady Con-
stance was especially attracted to the
sport. When q herd of 1avelina are as
sailed they seem to become entirely be-
reft Of fear, and no amount Of punishment
short of determination Will put an end to
their aggressiveness.
In size they are slightly smaller than
the average raZorback hog, but In activity
they far excel the latter. Their SHOUTS
are armed with bony spikes or tusks from
four to six inches long, sharp as dag
| ger points, and with a curl slightly up
ward. A swordsman does not handle his
blade with more dexterity than these ami
mails their spiked shouts.
Game Easily Trailed.
In droves ranging in number from ten
to five hundred the wild hogs roam
through the chaparral and coarse grass of
the plains, as a rule keeping widely scat
tered. They are easily trailed by their
sharp footprints, or by the pungent odor
of the musk they exude on underground.
The gamest hunting dog will turn tail
and stink away when 1t comes upon a
drove of them. 1t may have the courage
to take q bear by the ear or a buck by
the snout, but it draws the line at jave-
linas. They will fight with desperation.
and when one is assaulted the entire herd
Immediately rally to do battle, and fight
SO long as one is left.
Many a hunter has lost his life from
wounds inflicted by boar tusks or the
ranches on which Lady Constance con-
Quoted her successful campaign. 1t is the
work of but a moment for a dozen Of the
vicious animals to make away with an in
experienced huntsman.
They rush upon him with the force Of
a whirlwind, his feet are knocked from
under him, and he Is stabbed In many
places by their sharp tusks. A single jave-
lima is even declared to be more than q
match for q man with only a club or a
hunting knife for defense.
Lady Constance on her second day met
a drove Of twe%nty-nine javelinas. One of
the number was fired on and killed, and
then Lady Constance and her attendant.
both Of whom were well mounted, soon
found that they had a brisk fight on their
hands.
The peculiar grunt or squeal of the jave-
lima was heard going the rounds through
the chaparral calling the pack together
for battle. They came from all directions
with q rush.
The horses legs would have been torn
to shreds but for the close-fitting leggings
provided for them. About the horses the
pack raced with fury, assaulting their
legs and attempting to trip the animals
and throw them. Had their efforts sue
ceded the death CT horse and rider would
speedily nave ensued.
Lady Eonstance's mount Was a sure
footed animal, but it plunged wildly UNI
der the attack. She and her companion
fired as rapidly as possible, but with the
horses plunging as they did 1t was I'm
possible to take aim.
~ weapons mp VI d
breathing spell was desired, a dash of a
few hundred yards would be made. This
would enable the hunters to get clear OF
the pack. but only for a brief interval
On tbs javelinas would come with a rush
IKE starved wolves.
At the first point Of assault a half dozen
were left dead. A number We're wounded
and able to make only slow progress in
the pursuit. Some dragged themselves
along with broken legs. From wounds in
others blood flowed. but each one able tc
move made its utmost effort to continue
the fight.
Her Workmanship Superb.
Lady Constance's craftsmanship and
equestrianship were superbly exhibited
It is a difficult tas to sit a plungine
horse well and ain at dangerous foes fit.
ting like shadows. An average of about
one shot in four struck it's Intended mark
which was by no means a bad record.
1t was necessary to make seven runs In
handling the pack. The battle lasted near.
ly an hour and then every hog was dead,
The attendant secured a few Of the finest
tusks and stripped skins from several OF
the best specimens to be tanned and
MOUNTED as rugs.
Ordinarily the jayelinss Will mo-. giys