Page:Hunting and trapping stories; a book for boys (IA huntingtrappings00pric).pdf/114

 knew only too well what had happened and, feeling very miserable, they each carried an ocelot home in their arms. They were sure that the animals were dead, but an Indian who knew all about poisons declared they were not. He wrapped them up warmly in a blanket and applied various remedies, and in an hour they both showed signs of life. It was many weeks, however, before they were quite well again, and then they were very good and obedient. One thing they learned from their narrow escape from death, and that was never to touch bait in traps again.

The following year the ocelots, who had been removed to a village, escaped about sunset one evening but when morning came they were back at their home. It was discovered that in a single night they had nearly cleared the village of its chickens. They had murdered everything with feathers on it they could find. The boy's father had a long bill to settle, and the ocelots were kept chained up as a punishment, but the villagers demanded that they be destroyed. This the boy would not do, but he finally consented that they be taken to the Zoological Gardens. He parted with his pets with many regrets. They were properly crated and put on the train.

The expressman was accustomed to handling almost any kind of goods, but he objected to being left alone with a pair of ocelots, especially as some one told him that they would probably be livelier in the darkness. The jolting of the cars loosened the fastenings of the crate and the ocelots got out The expressman yelled with terror and pulled the whistle-cord. The train came to a stop and the conductor and engineer rushed up to find out what was the matter. When they heard that the ocelots were loose they both declared that it was none of their business and they hurried back, one to his engine and the other to the cars.

Meanwhile the ocelots were snarling, more from fright than anger, and were looking for a chance to escape. The expressman leaped out of the car and the ocelots bounded after him. They were last sighted early the next morning by a Spaniard who said they were then heading for the mountains. From time to time they were seen by travelers, and many attempts were made to capture them, but without success. They had learned a good many of man's tricks, and their exploits became local fables. It is probable they are roaming the Sierra Madre mountains now.

Think of the adventurous life they had had. Born in South America, captured unhurt while stealing chickens, owned by two masters, carried from one continent to another by ship and train, and finally to get their freedom in one of the wildest ranges of mountains in California.