Litchfield enquirer., 1830-10-28
THE PANTHER HUNTER.
BY WILLIAM PLATT.


 On the banks of the beautiful Susque hama, lived, some years ago, an individ ual whose life seemed to have been devo- ted to the woods and the stream. He had grown old in the forest, but like the aged and knosty oak, vestige still remained of bis antiquity aud hardilIood., When saw him first he reminded me of a dilapi- dated and deserted fortress, dccaying, but still strong. ! courted his acquaintance, aud many is the time that have warmed myself, during the dreary months, at the bright fire the industry of age had kindled. loved this old man, but that love could not have originated in pity for his misfor- tunes--no, he was happy as the spring birds; the only regret he ever expressed was that the scleGriags' around had driven away the game. He was himself the pic oneer of the forest, and civilization had de- prived him ofhalf its charms, yet he would tell over the tales of his evertf1l life, and weop and laugh as he recounted them.- 'Oh,' said he once to me, have seen the foot-prints of the Indian and the pam ther, where now the fields are white with harvest, they have both passed away with she wilderness, and nay own gray head will soon lie down in the dust-I must not mnrmur-yct shall be the last who has witnessed Nature on this spot in her sim pie and solitary grandeur, but if could once again exhibit panther skin as the trophy of my age, could forget even that TheFs was something 80 pathetic in the manner this was uttered--something so melancholy in the idea, that it was in vain attempted s sreply it was an all-absorb- ing thought, and l gave the wings of Fancy to tho reaectiOn---it might have been pro- phetic the old mans end, for on the next day the villagers were aroused by report that a panther had been seen in the neigh borhood. His eyes frightened at the in- telligence--ho seemed to have shaken off his ycars. and ! shall never forget the 6rm- ness Of his step as he shouldered his rife withstRe hope of gaining the trophy he de sired. s HI Ind lhe creature said he, can 20 to tho spot, and # an old mans eyes do not taii him, Ishall have an easy task butthere's nOknowing what will take place, they are dangerous animals I wished him success. and he departed, accompanied only by his dog. as
 The day was fast waning away, and the shade of surrounding trees enveloped the watchful hunter as he paced the margin of an almost inaccessible ravine, eager to dis- cover his prey; but the panther appeared not, and he began to fear he was doomed Co watch in vain. At length he leaned his ride agsinst tree, and commenced parta. King seaaty fepast 10 had provided; all was still asoand n his dog lay qlie. by his ridsara 5evy yaFds beyond him the clear and spasAliag waaers ef the West Branch might bs seen m6Anasying in loveliness be- meath craggy bank or pTccipicc, lifting tt self towards she skies moro than hundred feet. Thiaherwsrd tlle hunter strayed, looking upon tho stream and the valley be. low esimsoned by tho rays of the setting sun. while thoughts of other days chased one another across his brain as summer clouds cast fheir Aickcring shadows over a harsest-6eld. He was aroused from his !eshargy by rustlingin the shrubbery near atm. and turning, he beheld a panther cross ms path. He shuddered, for his rifie still leaned against the tree where he had left it. and the panther was between him and tha, tree. sOh God he cried. be thou mer. eifal to me- The animal seemed to have observed. him. and springing into tree with Q gTowl now surveying the horro stricken hunter, while its fierce and firey gaze msade him rscoil Co the very brinl of he& &sseipics. He cast his eyes owe the nAgm--thsre was no retreat--deatl 'ssared him h ahe face ou leiiher side, ap, he gaye himself up Co she hopelsssmess Q despair. Yes there might be hope: h, held nv knila open in one hand whilst un' conscions of what Ae did, he firmly grsspet as.'rll iegia ihe other; bis dog howev' eE inslRn9 ofrslieving his fears only exei.