I had already shouted in my loudest voice, in hopes of being heard by my
comrades; by none other than them, for what could human being do in such
a spot, shunned even by the brute creation? The horned lizard (_agama
cornuta_), the ground rattlesnake, the shell-covered armadillo, and the
ever-present coyote, alone inhabit these dry jungles; and now and then
the javali (_dicotyles torquatus_), feeding upon the twisted legumes of
the "tornillo," passes through their midst; but even these are rare; and
the traveller may ride for scores of miles through a Mexican chapparal
without encountering aught that lives and moves. There reigns the
stillness of death. Unless the wind be rustling among the pinnate
fronds of the acacias, or the unseen locust utters its harsh shrieking
amid the parched herbage, the weary wayfarer may ride on, cheered by no
other sound than his own voice, or the footfall of his horse.
There was still the chance that my followers might hear me. I knew that
they would not stray from the trail. Though they must have been far
behind when I entered the chapparal, following the tracks, they would in
time be sure to come up.
It was a question whether they would follow mine, or those of the steed.
This had not occurred to me before, and I paused to consider it. If
the former, then was I wrong in moving onward, as I should only be going
_from_ them, and leading them on a longer search. Already had I given
them a knot to unravel--my devious path forming a labyrinthine maze.
It was more than probable they would follow _me_--in the belief that I
had some reason for deviating from the trail of the steed, perhaps for
the purpose of heading or intercepting him.
This conjecture decided me against advancing farther--at least until
some time should elapse, enough for them to get up.
Out of compassion for my hard-breathing horse, I dismounted.
At intervals, I shouted aloud, and fired shots from my pistols after
each I listened; but neither shot nor shout reached me in reply. They
must have been distant indeed, not to hear the report of fire-arms; for
had they heard them, they would have been certain to make answer in a
similar manner. All of them carried rifles and pistols.
I began to think it was full time for them to have reached me. Again I
fired several shots; but, as before, echo was the only reply. Perhaps
they had _not_ followed me? perhaps they had kept on upon the trail of
the steed, and it might be leading them far away, beyond hearing of the
reports? perhaps there was not yet time for them to have arrived?
While thus conjecturing, my ears were assailed by the screeching of
birds at some distance off. I recognised the harsh notes of the jay,
mingling with the chatter of the red cardinal.
From the tones, I knew that these birds were excited by the presence of
some enemy. Perhaps they were defending their nests against the black
snake or the _crotalus_.
Or it might be my followers approaching! it might be the steed--like me,
still wandering in the chapparal?
I sprang to my saddle to get a better view, and gazed over the tops of
the trees. Guided by the voices of the birds, I soon discovered the
scene of the commotion.
At some distance off, I saw both jays and cardinals fluttering among the
branches, evidently busy with something on the ground beneath them. At
the same time I heard strange noises, far louder than the voices of the
birds, but could not tell what was causing them. My spirits sank, for I
knew they could not be produced either by my comrades or the steed.
It was not far, and I determined to satisfy myself as to what was
causing such a commotion in this hitherto silent place. I rode towards
the spot, as fast as my horse could make way through the bushes. I was
soon satisfied.
Coming out on the edge of a little glade, I became spectator to a
singular scene--a battle between the red cougar and a band of javali.
The fierce little boars were "ringing" the panther, who was fighting
desperately in their midst. Several of them lay upon the ground, struck
senseless or dead, by the strong paws of the huge cat; but the others,
nothing daunted, had completely surrounded their enemy, and were
bounding upon him with open mouths; and wounding him with their sharp
shining tusks.
The scene aroused my hunter instincts; and suddenly unslinging my rifle,
I set my eye to the sights. I had no hesitation about the selection of
my mark--the panther, by all means--and drawing trigger, I sent my
bullet through the creature's skull, that stretched him out in the midst
of his assailants.
Three seconds had not elapsed, before I had reason to regret the choice
I had made of a victim. I should have let the cougar alone, and either
held my fire, or directed it upon one of his urchin-like enemies; for
the moment he was _hors de combat_, his assailants became mine--
transferring their "surround" to my horse and myself, with all the
savage fierceness they had just exhibited towards the panther!
I had no means of punishing the ungrateful brutes. They had not given
me time to reload my rifle before commencing their attack, and my
pistols were both empty. My horse, startled by the unexpected assault,
as well as by the strange creatures that were making it, snorted and
plunged wildly over the ground; but go where he would, a score of the
ferocious brutes followed, springing up against his thighs, and scoring
his shanks with their terrible tusks. Well for me I was able to keep
the saddle; had I been thrown from it at that moment, I should certainly
have been torn to pieces.
I saw no hope of safety but in flight; and spurring my horse, I gave him
full rein. Alas! through that tangled thicket the javali could go as
fast as he; and after advancing a hundred yards or so, I perceived the
whole flock still around me, assailing as fiercely as ever the limbs of
my steed.
The result might have proved awkward enough; but at that moment I heard
voices, and saw mounted men breaking through the underwood. They were
Stanfield, Quackenboss, and the rest of the rangers.
In another instant, they were on the ground; and their revolvers,
playing rapidly, soon thinned the ranks of the javali, and caused the
survivors to retreat grunting and screaming into the thicket.