Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-03-29

hatcnet &C, IN their proper places, he
had nearly penetrated the distance, when
he became weary, and having come to the
summit OF ridge sometime in the after.
noon-whlch overooks the vale Of tie
Susquehanna, he selected convenient
place in the shade, as it was hot, for the
rays OF the sun from the west poured his
sulrv influence through all the forest,
where he lay down to rest awhile among
the leaves, after taking drink from his
pint bottle Of green glass, and n moulhful
of cold jonry cake FROM his pocket.
In this situation he was soo,hcd TO drowe
sness by The hum Of insects, and the mo
notony of The passing winds among the
foliage around him when he soon unwarily
fell asleep with his gun folded in his arms.
But after awhile he awokc from his sleep,
and for moment or two still lay in the
same position, as it happened, without
stirring, when he found that something
had taken place while he slept, which had
situated him somewhat differently from the
manner il which he first went 10 sleep.
on retleciDg moment, lie found he was
entirely covered over. heed and ears, with
leaves aid light stuff occasioncd as he
now supposed, either by the sudden blow.
ing of the wind, or some wild animal. On
which account he became a little disturbed
in his mird, as he well knew the manners
Of the panther al that season Of the year,
when 1t nlnts TO support its young, and
will often cover its prey with leaves and
bring its vhelps to the banquet. He there
| fore con nued to be perfectly still, as
when he first awoke-be thought he heard
the steps Of some kind Of heavy animal
near hun and knowing if it were a pan.
Their the distance between himself and
death could not be far, if he should attempt
TO rise up. Accordingly as he suspected,
after waiting full minute, he now distinct
y heard the retiring tread Of a s'eathy
panther, Of which he had no doubt from his
knowledge of the creatures ways, 1t had
taken but few steps, however, when it
again stopped a longer time, still Wheaton
continued his silent position, knowing his
safety depended much on This. Soon the
tread was again heard farther and farther
off, until it entirely died away in the dis
tance-but he still lay motionless a few
minutes longer, then he ven,ured gently
and cautiously TO raise his head ard cast
an eye in the direction Of the creature.
Whatever it was, it had gone, and he saw
nothing. He now rose up with a spring,
for his blood had been running from his
heart to the extremitics, and back again
with uncommon velocity, all the while his
ears had listened to the steps Of the animal
on the leaves and brush. He now saw
plainly the marks Of design among the
leaves, and that he had been covered over
and that the paws of some creature had
done it,
And #, as he suspected, panther was
the animal, he knew it would return 10 Kill
him, on which account he made haste tc
deceive it, and TO put himself in situation
TO give it n taste of The contents Of old
smooth bore. He now seized upon some
pieces of old wood which lay about, and
placed as much as was equal to his owr
bulk, exactly where he had slept, and GOV
cred it all over with leaves, in the same
manner the panther had done. and Their
sprang to tree near by, into which he
assembled. from whence he had a view a
good distance about him. and especially il
the direction the creature had gone. Here
in the crotch Of the tree he stood, with hi:
gun resting across limb, in the direction
Of the place where he had been left by
the panther, looking sharply as far among
the woods as possible. in the direction he
expected the creatures return. But he
had remained in this position but a shor
time, and had barely thrust the ramrot
charge was in her, and to examine he
printing, and shut down the pan slowly
so that it should not snap, and hus make
noise, when his keen Indian eye, for sucl
he had, caught n glimpse Of monstrou
punlhcr, leading warily two panther kittens
towards her intended supper.
Now matters were Fastening to climax
rapidly, when Wheaton or the panthe
should finish their hunting on the noun
,ains Of the Susquehanna, for if old Smootl
Bore should flash in the pan, or miss he
aim, the die would be cast, as a secont
load would be impossible ere her claw
would have sundered his heartsirings, il
the tree were he was or # he should bu
{ partially wound her, the same must hav
been his fate. During these thoughts tn
panther had hid her young under som
brush, and had come within some thlrtl
= feet of the spot, where she supposed he
. victim was still sleeping, and seeing all q
she left it, dropped down to crouchin!
. position, precisely as cat when about I,
y spring on its prey. Now was seen tn,
soul of the panther in its perfection mcr
G ging from the recess of nature, hidden b.
i the creature, along the whole nervous sys
d tenn, but resting chiefly on the brain, from
4. whence it g'ared, in bright horror, from it
q burning eyes, curlcd in It's strong and Vi
!, brating tail, pushed out its sharp, viii,
: and eIiptical fangs, fron, it's broad and pow
c erful paws, its hot breath gllttercd on III
4 80.
+, in rapid issues of steam from lis red an
a open jaws, while every hair of its long du
q. back stood erect in savage joy, denoln
n that the fatal moment Of its leap had come
s Now the horrid rustliNg of his hlnde
;, claws drawn under its belly was heard, an
@ tho bent ham strings were seen but half n