The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-09-13
Our Sporting Correspondence.
LOG HOUSE. Left Fork of the Ausable,
EssayC Auo - 1910

LOG HOUSE. Lett FOLK OF the AuSable.
Essex Co., Aug 3, 1915
will tell you what we did after dinner. Our
bad luck was the principal topic of conversation,
while we were making way with jeremiah trout,
excepting frequent CALCULATIONS of inward salts.
faction at being well served, after so many
turns of Ill fortune. When we were fairly through,
Eli asked leave TO make a proposition That
granted, the old fellow, after abiding again to the
mornings work, and after detailing very eloquently
the absolute necessity of having fresh supply of
venison, proposed TO take the dogs, and drive
deer into the pond. II is not too late vet" said
the old Nimrod; :. and I'll engage to have one in
the water in two hours" Eli was interrupted by
long monotonous whine from Hector, who
unquestionably understood the suggestion, and was
begging piteously to have carried The idea was
favorabiy met by all hands go, taking the dogs in
leash, shouldered rifles again and started off
This time confined our operations to one pond
After getting mile and half into the woods, old
Hector showed signs Of Impotence. We threw off the
dogs and the old hound took the lead across the rayn
when lost sight Of him pushed on, however in ad-
vance Of our party of three (El with jeremiah and
two Others having started for the other side of the
pond) until came to an immense cedar which had
been torn up by the recent STERN and which lay
the track The hounds had got far ahead, SO I
stopped for Israel and Abraham to up Presently
4 heard the snufing Of dog me- and, turning
Hector standing motonless at the further end Of
the fallen cedar. Supposing he "winded" deer,
waited momen mt for him to lead off But the dog did
not stir, although he kept snufing and at the same
time uttering low sound, between o whine and a
growl spoke to him, bit be did lot notice me Won
dering what could thus suddenly play the mischief
with the old hound locked narrowly along the cedar
which lie was watching. Good heavens II discovered,
crouchng the extreme end Of the tree, and but
three four rods from myself, enormous panther
The ANNALS whole attention attracted by the
dog much so tina. he did not notice nee at all while
Hector. poor fee W. instpctvey alive to the danger
which threatened him, was too staunch and too true
to run from it, but courageousy stood his ground. To
say that my nerves not little tremulous, at first
would be saying something absolutely false, will
say nothing about them. had splendid chance to
watch the proceedings of the catamount (they give
the large panther that in this region) and
watched accordingly With his eyes fixed upon the
say worked himself for while could not see that he
ook step forward or moved limb still his whole
ody seemed literally to crawl In this way he ad-
anced imperceptiby towards his intended vic tim IL,
was sight rarely to be met with even in these wilds
r the catamount is becoming unfrequent visitor
ed life.
with considerable caution looked at the state OF
my percussion cap. Taking glance over my shoulder
with eye at the time fxed upon my neghbor
the tree, perceived Israel and Abraham close UPON
mo. Old Hector still stood his ground, but he cast
upon me look Of imploTing agony, which went nv
heart. To be candid, ] had a magnificent chance
The creatures left side toward me, and / could
choose my spot Believing that II would be surer to
shoot at his vaIs than to attempt to brain him took
deliberate aim Just back Of and below the
PONG me beast made spring full at the dog,
clean, handsome active spring, and believed that
somehow unaccountably, fhad missed him ali ogether
But It was ths creatures last jump, lie made the
.pi.e 80 ~ % '"o u'hof OF " the Diary OF q late
Physician would say, "insensibe, obliyous dead .,
IL needless 10 add that old Hector had kent his
eye on the critter" as well the gu n he eseaned
he claws Of his adversary.
As for Israel and Abraham, they we're half GRAVY
with delight. We did not disturb the repnse OF tho
monster for several minutes Abraham even proposed
that should fire two three shots him 10 mako
all sure, but objected, for determined to have the
whole honor Of the thing. Leaving Abraham to keen
guard, Israel and hurried on TO the pond. We were
almost too late According TO promise, Eli and CON-
psny, with the hou DIS had drive in fine buck ana
were IN the boat putting out after him We jumped
INTO ,he boat on our side and struck off too but Eli
was ahesd OF us Suffice II say, the game was dis
patched secured, aud slowed for carriage and we
took the back track TO the cabin, via Abraham Ind
the eatamount Both were where left them, only
the former concluded 10 was rather small busi ness
Keeping guard over dead varmint ~ but Israel
kinder guessed" that Abraham had rather watch
The dead critter - than the live one cannot de.
scribe the I" rouse - we had that evening for the
navor Of the venhon and thI sppettes Of our party