Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-12-17
By 4. l.. PINEAU
Predatory Animal Inspector, Z. S.
Biological Survey

ITtudlOIy AIlnidi Inspector u -.
Biological Survey
Reports were circulated that h
mountain lion was taking an ex-
cessive toll of young cattle. A gov
ernment hunter was sent for in the
hope that he might prevent further
losses. He spent a little time in
yestigating in an effort to learn
something of the habits and pecul-
iarities of the wild beast, and soon
had his dogs on the trail. The
chase as usual was over the rough
est country imaginable, and the
hunter, who was mounted on
trained, spirited horse, was COM
PEELED to ride hard in an effort to
keep up with his dogs.
Lions will usually climb a tree
when hard pressed. This particular
one, however, preferred to fight the
dogs at intervals when the h nter
fell behind, so the hounds were
badly lacerated in the course of the
chase.
Racing across the rough coun-
try in pursuit of the dogs the horse
lost a shoe and in a short time
became so lame that it was neces-
sary for the hunter to shed his
chaps and spurs and proceed on
foot. After a mile of this the air
was pierced by the mournful bay
ing # he dogs. Knowing that
- al was in a difficult posi-
Inn tr. footsore hunted quickened
l3s s.a and soon came upon his
trgs hg king at the opening of a
shallow cave. twas a peculiar
aEuaau-. The lower part of the
opening was too high for the dogs
d jump into and the lion was no
Who're In sight, but the dogs sensed
lau be man knew, that he was
reering t them from his vantage
point waiting for the lightest
chance Of escape.
nwi.ls' was falling when tho
3urtel nally induced two of the
bounds fho had rested to enter
re cava The snarling of the
trapped animal and the fighting
degs pla lily told that battle was
vaglUg thin, and as it progressed
tfa hlr.r encouraged his dogs
Until n the sounds it would
seem IN 1t would soon be over.
IN a- fort to get a shot at the
4Iol me lunter unwittingly placed
himself d 3tween the mouth of the
cave aud I forked tree which stood
o few laat away. His rifle was
poised - body taut. ready to fire
The shot hat would stay the raw
ages ~ his killer, when like a
flash Lrling lion jumped square
3t hii rhe impact of the blow.
the UH"1 1ectedness of it, caused
him 30 -rop his rifle and the ter
rifle lorce of the hurting animal
forced his body tightly into the
crUvice Of the forked tree. ThIs
happened in much less time than
it takes to tell it, and had it not
been for the hounds who immedi-
ately leaped upon the lion where
it lay at the feet of the helpless
man, this story would have a diff
ferent ending. With a mighty ef
fort the hunter extricated himself
from his precarious position and
shot the struggling animal with his
pistol.
Nerve and Patience Needed
Someone recently wrote tha
government hunters enjoy the
sport of kings, for which they re-
ceive remuneration. but IL you
have followed this narrative and
realized the danger you can apprc-
ciate that II takes cool nerve, un-
limited patience, a splendid phy-
sique and a knowledge Of the hab- |
its and peculiarities of wild ami
mails.
Picture yourself afoot, % miles
from camp! you haven't had a
nourishing meal since morninr.
when you hit the trail, the day has
been scorcher and you are over
heated from the run and final bat !
tie, when a wind comes up which |
chills you to the marrow. Can
you finish the story? You discover
that you haven't anything for sup
per but lion meat, and no bed but |
mother earth. What is to be done? |
First you skin the lion before /,
II Is too dark. Then you cut o
piece off the loin and hang Il up
TO cool while you go in search of !
your crippled mount. You find |
him wandering about and stumble !
back through the darkness TO your,
kill. If you are hungry, and Of |
course you are, a piece OF lion |
meat is roasted on the end Of u !
stick over a fire you have built Of |
such material as you could find in |
The gathering dusk. Now It isn't |
the fastest meal one could have |
nor the most appetizing either. In |
fact small portion Is sufficient |
for most people, but who hasn't |
been hungry enough to eat a bear? |
Now you doctor your lame horse
as well as you can and hobble him
out for the night. Gee, am
tired" you say, Where do we !,
gleep?" Well, IL the ground is