The Whig standard., 1844-01-26
!. THE PANTHER HUNTER.

On the banks. of the beautiful Susquehannah,
lived some years ago an individual, whose life had
been devoted to the woods and the storm. He
had grown old in the forest, but like the aged and
knotty oak, a'vestige still remained of his anti
ouity and hardhood. When saw him fret he
reminded me Of dilapidated and deserted for
tress decayng, but still strong. rcourted his
acquaintance, and many is the time that have
warmed myself during the dreary months at the
bright fire the industry of age had kindled.
loved the old man, but that love could not have
originated in pity for his msfortunes--no, he was
happy as spring birds!
The only regret he ever expressed was that
the "cearings" around had driven away the
game He was himself pioneer of the forest,
and the civilization had deprived him Of half It's
charms, vet he would tell over the tales Of his
eventful life and weep and laugh as he recollect-
ed them. 90" said he once to me, 81 have
seen the footprints of the Indian and the panther
where now the fields are white with harvest !;
they have passed away with the wildness, and my
own gray head will soon lie down in the dust
must not murmur--yet will be the last who has
witnessed nature on this spot in her naked and
solitary grandeur; but il could once again ex-
hbit panther 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 enveloped the watchful
accessible ravne, eager to discover his prey but
the panther appeared not, and he began to fear
that he had been doomed TO watch in vain. AT
length he leaned his rifle against tree, and be-
gan to take. scanty repast he had provided; all
was still around him--his dog lay quietly by his
rifle-a few yards beyond him the clear and spark
ling waters of the West Branch might be seen
meanderIng in loveliness beneath the craggy bank
or precipice, lifting itself towards the skies more
than hundred feet. stir9 1s 4
Thitherward the hunter strayed, looking upon
the stream and valley below crimsoned with the
setting sun, while thoughts OF other days chased
enc another across his brain as summer clouds
cast their Pickering shadows over harvest field.
He was aroused from his lethargy by rustng
into the shrubbery near him, and, turning, he saw
a panther cross his path. He shuddered, for his
rifle still leaned against the tree where he left it,
and the panther was between him and that tree.
!" Oh God," he cried, " be thou merciful to me-"
The animal seemed to have observed him, and
springing into the tree with growl, now survey
ed the horror stricken hunter, while his fierce
fiery gaze made him recoii to the very brink of
the precipce. He cast his eyes over the abyss
there was no retreat-death stared him in the
face on either side, and he gave himself up to the
hopeessness of despar--he held his knife in one
hand, whilst unconscious of what he did, he firm
ly grasped small sapling with the other his
dog, however, instead of relieving his fears, only
excited them, irritating his foe by angry barks, as
it lay crouched upon the limb like cat ready 70
spring upon her prey but still this spring was
delayed, as if it felt conscious that it's prey was
sure, and pleasure in holding its victim in ter
rifle suspense.