The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-06-19

caught giitnpse OI TWO Iaiht yehow hBh.s
at little distance from him ; he thought It
might be an optical deluslon, produced by his
own earnest gaze but as the rays OF the
moon entered the chinks Of the cave he dis
tnc,ly saw an enormous animal lying about
two feet from him. There was not sufficient
| light TO distinguish what species OF animal II
was il might be lion, tiger, or croco-
die but the strong odor that filled the cave
left no doubt of the presence Of some large
and terrible creature.
When the moon rose so as 10 shine directly
upon the opening in the grotto, its beams
lighted up the beautiful spotted hide OF huge
panther. This lion Of Egypt slept with her
head upon her paws, with the comfortable
ldignity Of great house dog. Her eyes,
which had been opened from time to time
were now closed. Her face was turned to.
ward the Frenchman. A thousand confused
thoughts passed through the soldiers bosom
Ills first idea was to shoot his enemy through
the head but he soon perceived that there
was not room enough for that the ball would
inevitably 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 panther and the strong
beating his Of heart. Twice he put his hand
upon his scimetsr. but the difficulty OF pene-
trating her rough, hard SKIN, made MN re-
linquish his project. To attempt her distruc-
tion, and fail in the attempt, would be certsrn
death. At all events, he resolved to wait for
day light. Day came at last, and showed
the jaws ofthe sleeping panther covered with
blood.
She has eaten lately said the Fienchman
ITO himsclf-'She will not awake in hunger.
She was in truth beautiful monster.--The
fur on her throat and legs was Of a dazzling
whiteness "a circle of little dark spots, like
velvet, formed pretty bracelets around her
paws, her large muscular tail wos beautifully
white, terminated by black rings and the
soft smooth fur on her body was ofa glowing
iyellow, like unwrought gold, richly shaded
with dark brown spots in the form OF roses.
This powerful but tranquil hostess rep0sed
in as graceful an attitude as puss sleeping
on fooistool. Her head rested on her ner.
vous outstretched paws from which her long
white smellers spread out like silver threads.
Had she been in cage, the Frenchman
would certainly have admired the perfect
symmetry Of her form, and the rich contrast
ofcolors, that gave such an imperial brlliiancy
10 her robe, but alone, and in her power, it
wa, a very different thing. AT the mouth of
the cannon he had felt his courage riso with
! increasing danger but it was sinking now.
The cold sweat poured from his forehead, as
he watched the sleeping panther. Consider
ing himself dead man, he waited his fate us
courageously as he could. When the sun
rose, the panther suddenly opened her eyes
she stretched out her paws and gaped, show.
ing = frightlu row Of teeth, and a great
tongue as hard and rough as tile. She
then shook herself and began to wash her
bloody paws, passing from time to time over
her ears, as prcttily as kitten. very well
DONE thought the soldier, who felt his gaiety
and courage returning-'Sbe does her toilet
very handsomely. lie seized a little dagger
which he had taken from one ofthe Arabs
Come, 1et us wish each other good morning.
thought he. At this moment the panther
turned her head towards him suddenly, and
fixed surprised and earnest gaze upon him.
The fxedness Of her bright metallic eyes,
and their almost insupportablc brilliancy,
made the soldier tremble- especially when
the mighty boast moved towards him sudden
ly, and fixed surprised and earnest gaze up
| on him.
With great bodness and presence Of mind he
looked her directly in the eye, having heard
that great power may be obtained over ami.
mails in that manner. When she came up TO
him he gently scratched her head, and
smoothed her fur. Her eyes gradually soften
ed--sho began to wag her tail-and at last
she purred like petted cat but 80 deep and
strong were her notes Of joy, that they re
sounded through the cave like the rolling Of
a church organ.
The Frenchman redoublod his caresses,
and when he thought her ferocity was suffic.
iently tanned, no attempted to leave the grot.
to. The panther made no opposition to his
going out but she soon came bounding after
him, lifting up her back and rubbing against
his legs, like an affectionate kitten. She
requires great deal Of attention. said the
Frenchman, smiling. He tried TO feel of her
ears and throat and percevng she was
pleased with it, he began TO tickle the back
: Of her neck with the point of his dagger, hop.
ing to find favorable opportunity to stab her,
but the hardness of the bones made him trem.
BILE, lest he should not succeed. The beau.
tful Sultana of the Desert seemed to tempt
the courage Of her prisoner, by raising her
head, stretching out her neck, and rubbing
I against him.--The soldier suddenly thought
that to kill her with one blow he must strike
her in the throat. He raised his blade for
that purpose but at that moment she crouch.
ed down gently at his feet, looking up in his
face with strange mixture Of affection and
native ferceness. The poor Frenchman
leaned against tree eating some dates, and
casting his eye anxiously round the desert, to
SEQ ii no one was coming to free him from
his terrible companion, whose strange friend
ship was SO little to be trusted. He offered
to feed her with nuts and dates but she
looked upon them with supreme contempt.
However, as ifscnsib!e ofhis kind intentions,
she licked his shoes and purrcd
will il be so, when she gets hungry
fhouUtf tho Erpnrbp,an The tden ,nndo