Litchfield enquirer., 1834-02-13
Ivrom lNfinf's lRes,rrn Afnrn,ins.

From Ffim'S Western Magusine.
 1he Panther HWRfcr.-On the banks oi the beautiful Susquehannah, lived some years ago, an individual whose life had been devoted Io the woods and the storm. He had grown old in the forest, but like the a- ged and knotty oak, vestige still remained of his antiquity and hardihood. When | saw him first, he reminded me of a dilapi- dated and deserted fortress, decaying, but still strong. I courted his acquaintance and many is the time that have warmed myself during the dreary months. at the bright fire the industry of age had klndled. I loved the 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 eyer expressed was that the sczearings' around had driven away the game. He was himself pioneer Of the forest, and civilization had deprived him of half its charms, yet he would tell over the tales of his eventfuf life and weep and laugh as he recollected them. sOh, said he once to me, have seen the foot prints ofthe Indian and the panther, where now the fields are white with harvests 1; they have passed away with the wilderness, and my own grey head will soon lie down in the dust-I must not murmur-yet shall be the last who has witnessed nature on this spot in her simple and solitary gran deur, but if I could once again exhibit a panther skin as the trophy of my age, could forget even that.' There was some- thing so melancholy in the idea, that it was in vain that attempted to reply; it was an all absorbing thought, and gave the wings of fancy to the refection-it might have been prophetic of the old mans end ]; for on the next day the villagers were arou- sed by the report that panther had been seen in the neighborhood. His eyes bright ened at the intelligence--hes seemed to have shaken off his years. and I shall never for- get the firmness of his step as he shouldered his rife with the hope of gaining the tro- phy he desired. I'll find the creature, said he. II can go to the spot, and fan old mans eyes do not fail him, I shall have an easy task-but there is no knowing what may take place, they are dangerous ani- mal.' I wished him success, and he depart- ed, accompanied only by his dog.
 The day was fast waning away, and the shades of the surrounding trees enveloped the watchful hunter as he paced the margin of an almost inaccessible ravine, eager to discover his prey; but the panther appear ed not, and he began to fear he was doom- cd to watch in vain. At length he leaned his rife against tree, and commenced partaking scanty repast he had provided 1; all was still around him-his dog lay qui- etly by his rife--a few yards beyond him the clear and sparkling waters of the West Branch might be seen meandering in love- Illness beneath the craggy bank or preci- pice, lifting itself towards the skies more than a hundred feet. Thitherward the hunter strayed looking upon the stream and valley below crimsoned by the setting sun, while thoughts of other days chased one another across his brain as summer clouds cast their fickering shadows over harvest field. He was aroused from his lethargy by rustling in the shrubbery near him, and turning, he beheld a panther cross his path. He shuddered, for his rife still lean- ed against the tree where he left it, and the ] panther was between him and that tree.-- % God, he cried! be thou merciful to ! me- The animal seemed to have observ- ed him, and springing into the tree, with growl, now surveyed the horror stricken hunter, while his fierce and fiery gaze made him recoil to the very brink of the preci- pice. He cast his eyes over the abyss there was no retreat---death stared him in the face on either side, and he gave himself up to the hopelessness of despair. Yet there might be hope-he held his knife O. pen in one hand, whilst unconscious of what he did, he firmly grasped small sapling with tho other; his dog, however, instead of relieving his fears, only excited them, irritating the foe by an angry bsrks as it lay crouched upon the limb like cat rea- dy to spring upon her prey; but still this spring was delayed, as if it felt conscious that it's prey was sure, and pleasure in holding its victim in terrific suspense. At length. ripping up the bark with aferocious and quick growl it drew it's recumbent length together, then suddenly expanding itself, sprung through the air towards it's victim. The hunter, who had eagerly watched its motions, with shriek of hor- TOT sprung aside, but fortunately held to the sapling with an almost convulsive grasp. The sharp claws of the animal fixed in his clothing and seemed nigh to have carried him headlong with it over tho abyss-for a moment it seemed that the panther would recover his footing, but with an intuitive