Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-04-27
MountainLion and Mule
BY SAM HOUSTON.

MVulllQluLl dLu Wll5
BY SAM HOUSTON.
Late in the summer of 1887 was
one Of surveying party employed to
run the lines of several extensive
tracts in northwestern Texas.
At the time of which l write we
were working in that section watered
by the upper Canadian River and it's
continents. and our corps of seven
men. including a cook,swas encamped
on one OF these tributaries in region
not only wild, but desolate.
The nearest habitation was ranch
three miles away. and we saw no other
evidence Of even partial civilization
than half wild cattle that watched our
movements from distance, or came
timidly down to the stream for water.
One night our chief remarked that
another day of hard work would com.
plete the survey, and that camp must
then be moved to point twenty miles
distant.
Cooks" he added, 1--WE shall want
breakfast before dawn tomorrow"
Dick Larkin, our cook, rose extreme
ly early even when there was not
the slightest occasion, and on the
following morning he was astir by
three O'Clock. In rummaging about
for his boots he awakened me, and
finding myself unable to fall asleep
again, l left the tent and went out
to Join my friend.
An oppressive stiffness pervaded all
nature. Apart from our immediate
surroundings. we seemed to inhabit a
sphere devoid of life and light. Dick
was an old frontiersman, and doubt
less felt perfectly contented; but my
feelings were akin to those of one
who wanders away in his sleep, and
awakens to find himself on worn.
out world.
This grotesque fancy was capering
through my drowsy brain when there
came from distance the piteous
bleating Of calf 1t was very faint
at first. but the increasing nearness
of each succeeding cry told that the
animal was coming directly toward
us. Dick suspended his fire making
and listened.
$Sometbi2g after thu. calf he
said.
Wolves" ventured.
NO" was the reply. wolves always
yelp on the chase. That's somethin'
worse than a wolf"
The bleating drew rapidly nearer
till at last the calf, which was white,
could be discerned coming across the
level. Then the terrified creature
dashed in upon us. passing between
Dick and me, while closely following
came great dark object running SO
near the earth that it seemed almost
snakelike in movement.
The calf had gone. perhaps, a rod
beyond US, and then turned as if led
by instinct to seek refuge with man
kind: but the next instant there came
a lightning-like spring, stified bleat,
and the great shadowy creature made
on with his prize. So suddenly did
this tragedy occur that was COM
pletely dazed. But Dick was equal to
the occasion.
"Mountain-lion," he said, quietly.
Let's get guns and follow him."
Hurrying to the tent, each of lis
snatched a Winchester rife and set
out in. the direction taken by the lion
We had walked only few hundred
yards when there was heard on ahead
mufied bleat, and a moment later
we caught a glimpse of the Calls
white bsdy just as 1t disappeared in a
dense growth of chaparral AS we
reached the copse Dick said:
Stay here! I'll go tother side,
He'll come out at daylight, and one
Of us will be sure to see him." Then
he hurried away.
listened intently. There was Aot
much noise in the thicket More thar
once heard growl. perhaps Of
satisfaction. although the growls ma,
have been hints that my presence il
that locality was not desired.
Twice l raised my rife, determined
to try shot in the dark, but eact
time realized the madness of such 6
measure and desisted. To wount
the beast without disabling 1t mean
certain death, and had only nois,
to guide my aim.
After time all was still, but
failed to derive comfort from thi,
absence of sound; for had now be
come SO demoralized that my fame,
transformed every weed and rock int
mountain-lion, preparing to sprin,
upon me.
At last noticed a pale grayisl
streak, and was fondly contemplating
this welcome harbinger of daylight
when there came from beyond tht
thicket the loud, clear ring of a-rif1t
shot, followed by succession of roar.
and screams.
Half wild with excitement, hur
ried round the copse, and saw, in tn,
half light of dawn, monstrous thin,
writing in agony, while a few pace!
away stood Dick, who was just thel
throwing fresh cartridge into tn,
chamber of his Winchester Hi.
shot had broken the lions spine nea
the hips; yet even in this helpless con
dition the ferocious animal was roar
Ing and making frantic endeavors tt
reach its enemy.
Dick eyed his game coolly until i
had become sufficiently quiet to per
NIT accurate aim, and an instant late
the beast lay quivering with bulle
through the brain.
well need mule to haul thi.
thing In" said the marksman, pull
Ing the lion about to test Its weight
Judge is just down yonder. Let's
get him"
The individual thus referred to wa.
one of our team mules. whose name
was given in recognition Of his solemn
49,