The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-04-08
NUMBER 46.

: try, in order to detect any sign of the fu-
gitives-at other times the Scout would
come TO a stand and place his ear to the
: ground for the same purpose. But ex-
cept the trail they had as yet discovered
nothing.
CHAPTER
} 1t was now getting towards noon, and
the two in pursuit were moving steadily
though briskly forward, for of late the
trail had grown at every step more and
more fresh, giving assurance that the par.
, ty they were seeking could not be a great
distance in advance of them, when the
| Scout made sudden halt.
"Hist!" said he in low whisper TO his
companion pointing at the same time TO
clump of thick bushes that crowned
slight ascent a short distance in front of
them. 81 don't like the looks of things
yonder. See to your arms, my lad, we
may have Use for them presently"
The young man hastily reprinted his
piece, and held it ready for immediate ac-
ton.
"Wait here" continued the Scout,
'whle | take peep about us. There
may be mischief in the neighborhood.
So saying he plunged into the underbrush
at his right and disappeared.
For some time the young man stood his
ground, waiting in anxious expectation,
with his eyes fixed stcadlastly on the thick
et He could see nothing 10 cause the a.
! larm exhibited by the Scout. Every thing
; at hrst appeared as ussal and he began to
wonder at the movements of his compan-
= ion. Presently, however, he discovered
a slight movement among the branches in
n the centre of the clump, which under or
!, binary circumstances would not have at
e tractcd his notice. In short time the
C bushes became more agitated, accompa-
: MED by swapping of the dry twigs. A
j moment more and the young man was
] startled by the sight of large catamount
i which emerged from the covert along the
i, trunk of massy tree, which had fallen
e into it, and stood crouchcd on the projec-
ting butt Immediately before him, lashing
! his tail and cycling him with an angry,
flashing glance, in the very attitude of
} bouncing upon him. AS quick as thought
the young man brought his rifle to his
I shoulder, and was just on the point of
drawing the trigger, when warning from
the Scout restrained him.
"Don't fire, youngster-don't fire.
. nt fro hot
leave him to me-"
The sound of the Scouts voice seemed
TO divert the attention of the animal, for
he turned his head IN the direction whence
it came, crashing his langs and inpatient
y clawing the dccayed trunk with his cat
like paws. The young man sliced the
opportunity and made movement with
the intention of securing the cover of
large tree few feet from him. He had
scarcely taken the first step, when with
the quckncss of lightning the formidable
beast turned and gathered himself iora
spring, utterlng at the same time the pecu-
liar cry which always precedes, or rather
accompanies the fatal leap. The young
man gave himself up for lost; but at that
instant the sharp report of rifle rang
through the woods, and the panther boun-
ding high in the air, fell struggling with
in few feet of where he stood spell
bound with fear.
"Therc's an end of that varmint!" ex-
claimed the Scout, bursting from thick
copse near by. "But take care of your
self my ad," he shouted, "lor the critter
is terrible in his agonies, and hardly safe
when the life is gone"
II have made worse shots in my life
than that" continued he as he pointed TO
a dark spot in the forehead of the writh-
ing animal, whence the warm blood was
fast ooxing. "IIe's wicked thing when
, his rage is up, and bad as red skin every
! inch of him. But we have no time to
I waste over him. | was loath to fire, for
the report may reach the ears OF those who
, need but the falling of leaf To rouse their
e suspicious" So saying the Scout care
J fully reloaded his piece and FASTENED again
, on the pursuit
i Casting glance on the expiring pam
c Their, whose dying eye still cleaned fero-
t ciously upon him as he passed, young Ma
berry followed his companion, grateful Tor
= his late escape, yet fearful that the report
r of the gun might bcray their approach to
d the savages and thus jcopardizc the life OF
II the captive, or at any rate put them on
1t their guard, and so prevent surprise.
I, Conclusion neat UGCk.
vi Ehenrzer Venture talks about an old