Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-06-26
WHEATON ana the PANTHER.

Ben w heaton was one OF the first settlers
on the waters of the Susguehannah, immc-
dlatcly after the war, rough, uncultivated,
and primitive man. Like others Of the same
stamp and character, he subsisted chiefly by
hunting, cultivating the land but sparngly,
and in this way raised a numerous family a.
midst the woods in half starved condition,
and comparative nakedness. But as the
Susquehannah country rapidly increased in
population. the hunting grounds of Wheat
on were cnroached upon, so that the chance
with the smooth bore among the deers and
bears was greatly lessencd. On this acc
cunt Wheaton removed from the Susque-
more unsettled country of the Delaware,
near a place yet known by the name of
Waits settlement, where game was more
plenty. The distance from where he made
his house to the woods, through the Susque-
hannah, was about fifty miles, and contn-
ued wilderness at the time. Through these
woods the almost aboriginal hunter was Of
ten compelled to pass to the Susquchannah,
for various nccessaries, and among the rest
no small quantity of whiskcy, as he was of
very Incorporate habits. On one of these
visits, in the midst Of summer, with his
smooth bore on his shoulder, knife, Ratchet,
&c, in their proper places, he had nearly
penetrated the distance, when he became
weary, and having come to the sumit of
ridge sometime in the afternoon, which over
looks the vale of the Susquehannah, he Sc
lectcd a convenient place in the shade, as ii
was hot, for the rays of the sun from the
west poured his sultry influence through all
the forest, where he lay down to rest awhile
among the leaves, after taking drink from
his pint bottle green glass, and mouthful
Of cold Johnny cake from his pocket.
In this situation he was soothed to drow-
siness by the hum of insects, and the mon
otony of the passing winds among the toli-
age around him, when he soon unwarily fell
asleep, with his gun folded in his arms
But after a while he awoke from his sleep,
and for moment or two still lay in the same
position, as it happened without string, when
he found that something had taken place
while he slept, which had situated him some
what differently from the manner in which
he first went to sleep. On rejecting mo-
ment he found he was entirely covered over
head and ears. with leaves and light stuff,
occasoned, as he now supposed Other Uy
the sudden blowing of the wind, or some
wild animal. On Which account he became
a little disturbed in his mind, as he we'll knew
f the manner of the panther when it hunts for
the support Of its young, will often cover its
prey with leaves and bring its whelps to the
banquet. lie therefore continued to be per-
, fectly still, as when he first awoke, when he
, heard the step of some heavy animal neal
/, him, and knowing if it were panther the
distance between himself and death coul,
t not be far if he should attempt to rise. Ac.
Y cordingly, as he suspected, after waiting ;
. full minute, he now distinctly heard the re-
G firing tread of steathy panther, of whicl
he had no doubt from his knowledge of TIT
e creatures way. lthad taken but few steps
; however, when it again stopped longe
S time still Wheaton continued his silent pc
n sition, knowing his safety depended much OF
this. Soon the tread was again heard, far
c Their and farther of until it died away in tn
: distance, but he still lay motionless, a io,
II moments longer, then he venturcd gentl
d and cautiously to raise his head, and cast al
: eye in the direction of the creature. What
= ever twas it had gone, and he said nothing
lie now rose up with ii spring, for his boo
a had been running from his heart to the OK
= tremities and back again with uncomon We
locity, all the while his cars had listened Il
n the steps of the animal on the leaves, ant
d that. ne had been covered over and that thu
r. paws of some creature had done it. An,
o II, as he suspected, panther was the ami
n NAL, he knew it would return to kill him, OIL
), which account he made haste to deceive il
j. and to put hlmselfin a situation to give it
taste Of the contents Of old smooth bore. Ill