The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1908-current, 1909-11-24

but thee is something about the
name OF pather that brings out those
delicate essences of border romance
which have come down to us as heri-
tage from a picturesque past OF thrill
ing struggle and adventure. 1t is sig
nificant of the difference in tempera-
Ment between the peoples north and
south of the international boundary
that whereas in the western states
the name mountain lion is now used
almost exclusively, in British Column
biz the animal retains the name OF
panther.
It's somewhat truculent aspect and
terrific fighting powers when angered
command respect, even among those
who are familiar with its cowardly
nature, and in consequence the chase
CT the panther is to-day regarded as
the most exciting sport, next to bear
hunting, that can be had on the
American continent. 1t is yearly grow
icg in popularity, and the number of
men who make long and expensive
Journeys in order to enjoy its excite
ments and spice of danger is already
very considerable.
The best season for hunting panth-
ers is the winter. and the best way is
with dogs. Stalking panther is
rare occurrence but on occasions one
is shot over carcass, or, more rare
~ yet, by chance when the hunter is
stillhunting other game. They are
CT hnUpvpr and
animal understands better the art of
keeping out of the way. Were their
capture dependent on human craft,
few would be killed. On the other
hand when pursued by dogs they sell
dom escape, n. w Frost, famous
hunter of Cody, Wyo., has a pack of
Aierdales and hounds which are ac-
counted the most successful hunting
dogs in the west, and day spent
with them usually terminates in de-
lirious wake over the body of a de-
funct lion
Frost himself is credited with be-
ing the best hunter in a state where
hunters are abundant. Naturally, a
man who has spent a large part of
his life in the Wilderness and has
killed scores of mountain lions, has
had many exciting experiences. On
enc occasion. when he was out with a
party of eastern sportsmen, the dogs
freed a lion after a long run across
some of the worst country in western
Wyoming, where lions are very album
dant. When the hunters came up
] -, Fn,
about 40 feet from the ground, fire in
Its eye and rage in every hair of its
! body. Photographs were taken, and
| then one of the hunters stepped for
ward and fired. But he was new to
| the country and the game, and his
/ bullet merely cat through the base of
| tn lions ear Orc ,narily such a
| wound would not stir lion out of its
! tree. but for some reasOn-probably
| because it was partly stunned-this
! one launched out in clean leap OF so
feet. striking the ground with a thud
| that should have knocked the breath
Of life out of it's body. There was an
instant scattering of men and dogs,
followed by an immediate re-assem-
bling of the dogs. For moment top
sy- turvydom reigned. Then the lion
bounced out of the melee and started
70 climb a nearby pine. 1t scratched
up a little way, and seemed to be
clear Of the dogs. when pluczy Aire-
| dale, making an astonishing spring,
| fastened on the tip of its tail and
brought it down into the midst of the
pack. Thereupon, as they say in the
west. seven dogs and one mountain
lion got busy right away" For a mo-
ment or two the chances seemed
equal. for the lion is a terrific fighter
but seven experienced dogs are toe
much for the strongest panther, and
the end was not far off. The dogs
holds became longer as the lions
struggles became weaker. and the
fight appeared to be nearly over
when IN it's death struggles the lior
broke free from the dogs and charged
onndly at one of the hunters. knock
rg him down and inhicting some
nasty scratches, At the same instant