Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-08-19

Not plainly replied the old man. my ear grow,
dull with yeay~- lci Us listen again.
They lsiced, and moment after moment passed
away with nuRht to break the stiffness that reignrd
around; butitienglh long, dismal distant cry swept
over from anopposite bill.
'ris palher on our track, said the old man. lei
US be st'r'ini-a wild night awaits Us. Here, gather
these leaves ub heap round this old log, and nile The
brush and batAls upon them, while strike ire--our
rides will no sefvc us in this Darkness and a. he spoke
he took din Rom his pocket and drew his long hunt.
ing knife fru bis belt
But the Dung man was stupefed with terror, and
moved not the pantheT's cry was horne again still
louder 10 h or. Then, starting and casting a wild
gaze sroune h. exclaimed, Let us fyl let US Ayp
Fly, loo u you wish muitered the old man, and
he struck te ini fierce blow with the steel bac,
Of his hunigkne, that the brgh, sparks rolled down
among mustof dry cnders which he had just laid
upon the 10. The next moment blue smoke began
to rise foa DE cinders the old man brested gently
upon themalil they burst into flames. With dex-
trous hand M swept the blazing mass 10 the ground,
and fed iiSth leaves till tcrackled and glowed grow
ing every nopent brighter and brighter, shooting for
up into thsy and sending its welcome rays out into
the forest Tie sight Of the cheerful Ere soon dispeI
led the yong hunier's fears, and with ready hand
he piled brs1 and brands upon the burning heap.
As he issv the last stick upon the pile, the watch.
(u old hosef laid one sinewy hand upon his shoulder,
and points with the other down the slope Of the hin,
where By be camp-fres light, they could see steal.
thy formseepng up towards them. Did not tell
you, long ago. said he, that the bold eagles fight
is not me swiit than the panther, when he seeketh
bloodp
Shamani confusion held The young mans tongue
AS ave hearts as ever lived continued the old
man, 'lvrquailed at the paniher's cry. There's an
other os squalling on the hill above u.s. as live
WELL item come-.I care not for them--nnd vet,
he coanued, in an altered tone, ls no, best TO tempt
the trcherous creatures
WinE TO avoid a contest, the Two hunters now
move rond TO the opposite SIDE OF the FIRE, but the
panib vas too hard pressed by hunger or too bold
by uafeto be put of in such way With the same
slealy notion, it came creeping round towsrds Them
and 'syin turn moved round the campfire. always
keepg o. the opposite side.
~ sad that when the fascinating spell Of the ser.
peu hsed on one Of naturessongstcIs, the wre,ched
yieal Bowers round and round the fatal spot where
lhserbent lies, but every moment draws nearer and
neeiand a. last is folded in the jaws OF rhe urvourrr
hqpanther circled round and round the campfire,
b,etery circle brought II to the spot where
b til of the hunter It's own fierce fangs were to
rbfr blood
Al last, when within few feet OF its prey, il stop
| 1crouehed back, and prepared for the fatal spring
| u the meantime, the old hunter had not been idle
Ielad hoped that the bright glow Of the campfire
gord keep the panther from near approach. Appa-
only unconcefned, he had allowed the panther to ap-
prraeh ill within few yaIds; then giving his COM
,4hon gentle push, he muttered, Move away-leaye
h1n TO me- and stopped. Then, while the panther
ved round from the opposite side, and took It's sta
bn for the fatal spring. he carefully re.prmed his re
BID now, with his finger on the trigger, and the sight
Testing on the forehead of his antagonist, he waited
The decisive moment.
Not line Of his hard features movcd-not muscle
quivered. Suddenly The panthers warning scream
broke upon his cara vivid fash lit up the forest-a
startling report rolled away into its depthsthe old
man dropped 10 the earth, and the panther with the
ie's blood streaming IRON its forehead, eapcd over
giles, and high and wide It scattered the campfire
around, leaving not one brand nor one coal upon an
other. But il would not do. The red current Of life
flowed free. lis struggles fierce, bnt soon ever.
They dragged It's relaxed and gore.s,aned carcass
away gathered their scattered campfire together and
laid them down to sleep III perchance they could SLEEPY,
iil the morrow's dawn should wake them from their
slumbers. Hloi fa.0.
The remaining panther, nlmidated by the fate Of
its companion, dared approach, but its mournul
cries swept through the forest for many long hour Of
that dismal night.
Wesinlinster. ~, July, Is47.