The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-04-17

70 my shoulder, with the Intention of
shooting the panther through the heart,
but in spite of myself, shrunk from the
il was we'll reserved
my hre, for had only wounded the ami
NAL l might have been victim to its
ferocity.
So soon as the bear found there was
no possibility of escape from an issue
with 80 dreadful an enemy, on reaching
the opposite bank Of the stream, il shook
the water from its hair like dog. and
ran about fifteen feet on the bank. and
laid directly on its back in defensive
posture; this it had scarcely done when
the panther reached the waters edge,
and then, with yell of yengence, it
made one bound, and sprang with out
stretched claws and splitting like cat,
Immediately on the bear, which lay in
terror on the ground, ready to receive
its antagonist: but the contest was soon
at an end.-Not more easily does the
eagle rend in sunder its terror-stricken
prey, than did the enraged panther tear
in scattered fragments the helpless bear:
il appeared but the work of moment,
and was ofunrelenting vengeance, forno
sooner did the panther alight on its VIC
tim, than with the most ferocious yells,
it planted its hinder claws deep in the
entrails of the bear, and by few rips,
tore Its antagonist to pieces. Although
the bear was full grown, it must have
been young, and in want Of energy for
it was SO overcome with dread, as not to
be able to make the least resistance.
Satisfied in Cutting its vengence, the
panther turned from the bear, and came
directly to the waters edge to drink and
allay the parching thirst created by so
great excitement, after which it looked
first down and then up, the stream, as
though it songht place to recross that
Il might avoid the water and then, as
If satiated with revenge and enjoying its
victory, stood twisting and cnrling its
tail like cat, and then commenced lick
ing itself dry. The animal now within
thirty-6ye yards Of me, aud seeing no
prospect of its recrossing the stream, I
took rest for my rifle on projecting
limb of the tree on which / still set, and
tired directly at the panther's heart.
The moment ! discharged my rifle, the
monster made a spring about six feet
perpendicularly, with a tremendous
growl, which reverberated among the
rocks, and fell in the same spot whence
1t sprang, with its legs extended, and lay
in this situation, half crouched, rocking
from side to side,us if in the dizziness of
approaching death. / saw plainly that
my fire was fatal: but had to much ex.
perience to approach this enemy until
could no longer discover signs Of life. I
therefore reloaded my rifle, and with
second shot l pierced Immediately he
hind the ear its head then dropped be-
tween its paws, and all was quiet.
On examining the panther, no marks
of violence appeared except where my
rifle balls had passed completely through
within foot Of each other: but on turn
ing the animal on its back, i discovered
Il to be female, and mother, and, by
the enlargement of her teats, had evi-
IDENTIFY been sucking her young. From
this circumstance, | supposed the bear
had made inroads upon her lair. and
more than probable destroyed her kit
tens was the more convinced of this,
from the fact, that never knew from
my own experience, nor could gathor
from the oldest hunters among my ac-
quaintanco, an instance wherein pan
ther and hear came in collision with
each other or entered into deadly strife
and again, no circumstance but the a
bove, would be sufficient to awaken that
perseverance in the passions
Of panther, which would lead to the an
Inhalation Of SO formidable an animal as
a bear.
Philadelphia Dec. 1881. M.