Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-08-17
T,osl ne Ne,s Yorle,.
THE PANTHER'S LEAP.
As lpvrnrrke ~ nLlxols.

80
- y, the cool and refreshing breeze tha, rufilcd
A soG music the psr,i-ooored foliage Of the trees
All - so have stood at this Of the year On the
,,,ss of the West, with uncovered brow. will re-
= the beauty spread wide around them far better
80 ! can describe u.
Ssrinr my rife LEFT nv uncle Jonslhans log
Il, ,-A wandered leisurelv over the prairie IN the
,s-,ion OF The wood. Having passed through I
| .s,f of tie forest. found myself near a small .
- upon the top Of which could plainly discern 4
afca,slv outlines and branching snilefs of bnck .
s7ied so DARK lines against the horizon. Enter /
\, go skit,s n tho forest once more crept wari-
I, round the hill IN order 10 approach unseen with. |
ts bsiane distance of the object Of nv pursuit 1
STOPPING low. hurried along behind the rugged /.
ne OF rucks at the base OF the bill until reached a
place from which | supposed could command
Prospect Of the whole broad summit. Nor was |
mistaken for peerng carefully over tic edge OF
re rock beheid nv game 10 fair view about hun
3rsd wards distant little suspecng an enemy, at
sssi 10 tina, direction. Thrusiing the muzze of my
fs over the rock, took a deliberate aim at his
lie and pulled the trigger. The quick, sharp crack
Of the cap alone followed This was a disappoint-
nsni but quick possible cringed behind the
10 4. and trembling with eagerness sought for an
ahcf cap Ahcr consuming twice the time neces
arv, and scattering nv caps in all directions upon
tie ground, ! was nj length once more IN state of
preparation. NV heart beat as saw the majestic
animal sill occupying his former position. though
ih head erect snufiing the breeze and darling has
ghiring plances in every quarter, unknowing in
vhat direction TO fec 10 avoid the death. Again
n ,o,ned nv iron and fired. The noble buck sprang
II ao the air, and sprang over the rock. When
reached the spot his limbs were already qniveing.
a L. loading again, found had bu, charge in
nv hisk; with all convenient haste as il was
n BoR nearly sunset, ! drew my long knife, which
81 gfm-d an indispensable item in my hunting accou-
81 uemcnts and having dssec,ed the animal which |
n had slain, proceeded homeward, loaded with the
r. skin and two quarters, which was all could CON
Il venenly carry and which, with my piece, formed
very respectable burden. Striking into path which
la supposed would conduct me by nearer route
IA through the forest, | hurried on with all the speed
q my load would allow me. But after consuming suf-
hlieni time TO have brought me out, was some
What surprised at discovering tina, instead of draw
g near the opening, my path seemed 10 become less
distinct as | advanced, aud To conduct farther
ITO the depth OF the forest. However, pressed
% with aacrv, dceming il sure that should soon
aetge, and knowing that TO retrace my steps would
ey DO conducting me into course directly oppo-
sic 10 my home.
vhch the ndislnc,ness of the treacherous path
d followed was of course increased When stand
q still with doubt and uncertainty, the long drawn
howl of a wolf came with fearful disnc,ness upon
nv ear. So suddenly it came, il pierced like
nell tho fearful hollow of my ear announcing in
tone not to be misunderstood, the kind OF compan
gns should be likely TO have, should be compel
ei 90 pass the night IN the woody labyrinth. pros
pet which, though by no means agreeable, seemed
Xyei no, improbable. Nevertheless, | resolved to
XpGOcesd, aud either TO come safely Out to brave
3whaleyer dangers might encounter with a manly
&lelf. Wandering on well as might in my for
8H-f direction, soon found myself near a brook
&"hlch murmured on through shady dell, and i'm
n mediaely determined to follow H. satisfied that II
&4 must, sooner or later. conduct me into the open
world once more. 1t was after sunset, and so
n ark lat ! could scarcely see TO pick my dubious
md featlul way. | would have lIghtened myself OF
~ burden, but the Increased howing OF the wolves
sAIch seemed 10 be gathering in body behind me,
ssiaed nae that II might soon become my only pro-
lection. You may be tina; these not musical
,Il mos, melancholy notes tended not TO diminish
Hy speed or trepIdatOn, and seemed TO be- chasing
aJwn the lutte brook With all the demons OF the PIT
Ztowdlng and yelling behind me.
Presently could detect a dscordant note among
he voices OF this internal choir, which knew al
nce 10 be the cry oil the panther, than which would
'aiher have met IN general assembly all 'he wolves
The forest. Notwithstanding the increase OF speed
iused by The last unpleasant discovery, /, avsiled
50 llule that could soon distinguish the rusing
~ leaves ami Cracking OF dry branches and pres
y ally after, the measured bounds OF the panther
struck plain upon my car and to my heart. When
seemed TO my frightened fancy that could almost
ife lac monsters hot breathe upon me and see IN ile
'ah uic glare OF his eye-balls. procured aiemao
4 iai' fepreye by dropping quarter OF my hne
buck, which had intended for a lar different pur
p'se However, we'll knew tina, he would delay
cas- 10 teorn with increased ieIocity sher his re
past quekcued my pace, II that were possible
efHhiuc every ueive viii, FAINT hope OF gain'nl
We edge Of Tic wood before ! was again placed IL
- dangerous vicinity To NV pursuer, bui m vain
'YeH s"on Distinguish az his heightened bounds
sAsl one brngiug him nearer and nraIer.
~ hen he had approached 81 near that consider
e. A'm TOO familiar, again baied him with my ven
'soa' THIS dad nli nv load gone and, IN
Atad VI beng satisfied, the fierce animal seemed
.-' 10 have sharpened AIS appetite for a richer re
past When had dropped lie last remaining frsg
inenl my means OF defence or escape seemed u
have been exhausted. However resolved 10 climl
w'sh All hsse into the hssl tree which would adm
al a. and defend myself a. well as | could with I'M
.1le remaining charge DO my rife. by good louun
Immediately discovered one which answered m
purpose VerN we'll IL Of a middle sire an
Destitute Of branches iar twenty or ibiny fee
rom the ground. 1 found no difficulty ia cmbin
With gun IN hand. as my short sojonin Ia the coun
10y LAT made me quite an adept al many such lndis
qelsabie accomplishments.
lad 20 sooneT seated myself on tie fret bouel
'sa3y With my gan. than could hear my late &C
ss'aiaace bounding forward again, AMI soon, b
re o. N light that had enabled me 20 discover ID
rec disceroed his form alternately ascending an
,rscenolng. iespng bigh into tie air, and Il seen
e. % me foil lseniy feet forward each time. IL d.
ha b. he leasi puzzle his sagaciiy 10 comprehen
--'' ne uail he WIS following came to a very al
t~if Conclusion f8f sfief funuing several time
''1H1 ne tree, he finally sened himself do~n bs
fti- h. and raised such Tremendous Eelp thai
IRE Of al my attempts 10 wear brave hean an
'e1 a. iuie as possible 70 terror. this With N