The Arkansas advocate., 1831-09-14


 to nave some charms for his imagination
 or he might hear the noise of approach
 ing cannon-for Bonaparte was ther
 passing over Egypt. The Irenchmar experienced sudden transition. from the deepest despair to tic widest ioy.
 He occupied himself during the day with cutting down some of the palm trees to defend the mouth of the grotto against wild beasts, which would pro- bably come in the night time to drink at the rlyulet flowing at the foot of the palms. Notwithstanding the eagerness produced by fear of being devoured iihi'is sleep, he could not finish his fort- heations during the day. Toward eve ming, the mighty tree he had been cut ting, fell to the ground, with a crash that resounded through the desert. as if solitude had uttered q deep groan.
 The soldier trembled as if there had been supernatural voice in the air. But like an heir, who soon ceases to mourn overa rich parent, he immediate ly began to strip off the board and beau tlful leaves to form his couch for the night. fatigued by his exertions and extreme warmth of climate. he soon fell into profound Slumber. In the mid die of the night his sleep was suddenly disturbed by an extraordinary noise.- lie raised himself and iistened-and a. md the deep silence he distinctly heard the loud breathing of some powerful an- lmal. The sound fell upon his heart like ice. The hair started upon his head, and he strained his eyes to the ut most to perceive the object of his terror. lie caught glimpse of two faint vel low lights at a little distance from him: he thought 1t might be an optical delu, sion, produced by his own earnest gaze; but as the rays of the moon entered the chlnks of the cave he distinctly saw an enormous animal lying about two feet rom hm. There was not sufficient light to distinguish what species of animal It was, It might be lion, tiger. or q crocodile; but the strong odor that filled the cave left no doubt of the presence ot some large and terrible creature.
 When the moon rose so as to shine directly upon the opening of the grotto. Us beams lighted up the beautiful spot ted nlde oi huge panther! The lion of Egypt slept with her head upon her paws, with the comfortable dignity of a great house dog. Her eyes, which had been opened from fi1s,a te ---~.-~ ..--.. closed. Her face was turned toward | the frenchman. A thousand confused thoughts passed through the soldiers bosom. lis first idea was to shoot his enemy through the head; but he soon perceived that there was not room e. nough for that: the ball would ineyita- bly have passed her. He dared not make the slightest movement, lest he should awake her; nothing broke the deep silence but the breath of the pan- ther and the strong beating of his heart. Twice he put his hand upon his scime- tar, but the difficulty of penetrating her tough skin, made him relinqush his pro- ject. To attempt her destruction, and fail in the attempt, would be certain death. At all events he resolved to wait for day light. Day came at last, and showed the jaws of the sleeping panther covered with blood.
 'She has eaten lately, said the French man to himself-'She will not awake in hunger
 She was in truth a beautiful monster. | The fur on her throat and legs was of a dazzling whiteaess: circle of little dark spots, like velvet, formed pretty 1 bracelets around her paws; her large muscular tail was beautifully white,ter minated by black rings; and the soft smooth fur on her body was of a glowing yellow, like unwrought gold, richly shad- ed with dark brown spots in the form of ,,.eeses.
 This sawerful but tranquil hostess re- posed ia as graceful an attitude as puss sleeping en footssooi. Her head rested or her nervous out-stretci.ed paws from which her long white smeilers spread out. like silver threads. Had she teci. n a cage, the Frenchman would certainly have admired the perfect sym metry of her form, and the rich contrast of coors that give such an imperii*@ii hrll- liancy to her robe, but alone and in her power, 1t was very different thing At the mouth of the cannon he felt his courage rise with increasing danger; but it was sinking now. The cold sweat pouring from his forehead, as he watch