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Page 73
While he bears a considerable likeness to the tiger, both in shape and
habits, the markings of his skin are quite different. Instead of being
striped like the tiger, the skin of the jaguar is beautifully spotted.
Each spot resembles a rosette, and consists of a black ring with a
single dark-colored spot in the middle.
Jaguars are not always of the same color; some have skins of an orange
color, and these are the most beautiful. Others are lighter colored; and
some few have been seen that were very nearly white.
There, is a "black jaguar," which is thought to be of a different
species. It is larger and fiercer than the other kinds, and is found
only in South America.
This animal is more dreaded by the inhabitants than the other kinds and
is said always to attack man wherever it may encounter him. All the
other beasts fear it.
Its roar produces terror and confusion among them and causes them to
flee in every direction. It is never heard by the natives without a
feeling of fear, and no wonder; for a year does not pass without a
number of these people falling victims to its ferocity.
It is difficult for one living in a country where such fierce animals
are unknown, to believe that they have an influence over man, to such
an extent as to prevent his settling in a particular place; yet such is
the fact.
In many parts of South America, not only plantations, but whole
villages, have been abandoned solely from fear of the jaguars.
There are men, however, who can deal single-handed with the jaguar; and
who do not fear to attack the brute in its own haunts.
They do not trust to fire-arms, but to a sharp spear. On their left arm
they carry a strong shield.
This shield is held forward and is usually seized by the jaguar. While
it is busied with this, the hunter thrusts at the animal with his sharp
spear, and generally with deadly effect.
A traveler in South America relates the following incident as having
come under his observation:
"Desiring to witness a jaguar hunt, I employed two well-known Indian
hunters, and set out for the forest. The names of these hunters were
Ni�o and Guapo. Both of them had long been accustomed to hunt the
jaguar, and I felt perfectly safe in their company.
"Guapo, the larger of the two, was a man of wonderful muscular power,
and had the reputation of having at one time killed a black jaguar with
only a stout club.
"When all the preparations had been made for our start, we looked as if
we might capture all the jaguars that came in our way.
"Some hours after we had entered the forest, the quick eye of Guapo
discovered the trail of a large jaguar which he assured me was recently
made.
"Stopping for a moment, both Guapo and Ni�o looked carefully about in
every direction, and listened attentively, in order that they might see
or hear the animal if he were near.
"Then motioning me to follow at a little distance behind them, they
stepped off quietly in the direction of the trail, Guapo being about
thirty feet in advance of Ni�o.
"We went forward in this manner several hundred yards, not a word being
spoken, and the keen eyes of both the hunters constantly on the alert.
"Guapo, in the meantime, who seemed to have no fear and became more and
more excited as he approached to where he thought the animal must be,
had increased the distance between himself and Ni�o considerably.
[Illustration]
"Suddenly a terrific roar, and at the same time a cry of pain and a
shout, warned us that Guapo had met the jaguar.
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