Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-03-22
From the New Orleans Picayune.
The Panther Hxnter.

The Panther Hxster.
We do not recolect where we found the fol-
lowing very clever narration Of hunting ao'
venture -
On the banks of the beautiful Susquehanna
lived some years ago an individual whose lie
had been devoted to the woods and the storm.
He had grown old in the forest; bat ike the
aged and knotty oak veslige still remained
Of his antiquity and hardihood. When saw
him FIRST he reminded me of dilaPidaled and
deserted fort:ess-decaying, but still strong.
| courted his acquaintance, and many IS me
time that have warmed myself during the
dreary months at the bright fire the Industry OF
age had kindled. l loved the old man, but
that love could not have originated IN pity Tor
his misfortnnes no he was happy as spring
birds! The only regret he ever expressed was,
that the clearings' around had driven away
the game. He was himself pioneer OF the
forest, and the civilization had deprived him
Of half its charms, yet he would tell over the
tales of his even,ful life, and weep and laugh
as he recollected them.
'Oh!' said he once to me, have seen the
footprints of the Indian and panther where now
the fields are white with harvest;-they have
passed away with the wilderness, and my own
grey head will soon lie down in the dust ! l
must not murmur; yet will be the last who
has witnessed nature on the spot, in-her nd
ked and solitary grandeur; but if could once
again exhibit panther's skin as the trophy OF
my old age, could even forget that!'
The day was fast waning away. and the
shades of the surrounding trees enveIoped the
waichfol hunter as he paced the margin Of an
almost inaccessible Tavine. eager to discover
his prey but the panther appeared not, and he
began to fear that he had been doomed 10
watch in vain. AT length he leaned his rife
against tree, and commenced taking scan.
~ repast he had provided. All was still around
him his dog lay quietly by his rifle. and
lew yards beyond him the clear and sparkling
waters of the West Branch might be seen me-
andering in loneliness beneath the craggy bank
or precipice, lifting itself towards the skies
more than one hundred feet. Thi,herward the
hunter strayed, looking upon the stream and
valley below, crimsoned with the setting sun.
while the thoughts of other days chased one
another across his brain, as summer clouds
cast their Pickering shadows over harvest
field. de was aroused from his iethargy by
rusiling in the shrubbery near him, and tur-
ming, he saw panther. He shuddered, for
his fife still leaned against the tree, where he
left it, and the panther was between him and
the tree. % God = he cried, be thou merci-
full to me!'
The animal seemed to have observed him,
and springng into the tree with growl, now
surveyed the horror-sricken hunter, while his
fierce and fiery gaze made him recoil 10 the
very brink of the precpice. He cast his eyes
over the abyss there was no reireat-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
in one hand, whilst unconscious of what he
did, he firmly grasped small sapling with the
other, his dog, however. instead Of relieving
his fears, only excited them, irritating his foe
by an angry bark, as it lay couched upon the
limb, Ikea cat, ready ospring upon her prey !;
but s,ill this spring was delayed, as if it felt
conscious that its prey was sure, and had plea
sure in holding its victim in terrific suspense.
AT length, ripping up the bark with ferocious
! and quick growi, it drew lis recumbent length
together then suddenly expanding itself, spral g
through the air towards its victim. The hun
ter, who had eagerly watched it; motions,
! with shrek OF horror spraag aside, but for
| tunately held 10 the sapling with almost a
convulsive grasp. The sharp claws of the at
lmai fixed 10 lis clothing, and seemed nigh %
have carried him headIong with it over tie
dread ablss-for a momeni it seemed that the
panther would recover his fooling, but with an
| nsuiiive presence of mind, the old man ripped
| asunder his clothing, and it fell from crag to
crag, marking the sharp projection of the rocl
with his blood till The welcome sound of lis
fall TO the earth struck on his ears as joyfully
as the sound Of liberty to the captive. He
rushed forward to his rifle, fearful, perhaps,
that life was net yet extinct in his enemy
Soon however, the contents of his piece were
lodged in the head Of his foe, while a prayer
went up to Heaven from his lips in grrt,ude
for his preservation. The hunter exhibited his
trophy; but the terror and toll had been great
he expired in short time after.
A YANKEE TRIcK.-Just lefore the Declar.