The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-09-11
Strange Instinct Of the Dctr.

The large American panther has one
inveteraie and deadly Zoe, the black bear.
Some of these immense bears will weigh
500 pounds. and their skln is 50 tough
that . muskeibaIl will not penetrate il.
As the panther invariably destroys allthe
young cubs which come in her path. 50
does The bear take grea. pains 10 attack
The panther. and fortunate, indeed, is the
animal who escapes The deadly embrace Of
this black monster. The following ex-
citing aud interesting scene is related by
an eye witness: 49,
A large deer was running al full speed,
closely pursued by panther. The chase
had already been long one, for as they
came nearer. could perceive bo.h their
long parched tongues hanging out Of their
mouths, and their bounding, though pow
erful, was no longer so elastic as usual.
The deer. having discovered in The dis
lance large black bear, playing with her
cubs, stopped moment TO sniff The air !;
then coming nearer, he made bound,
with his head extended, TO ascertain IL
bruin kept his position. Az the panther
was closing with him, The deer wheeled
sharp around. and turning back almost
upon his own rail, passed within thirty
yards Of his pursuer, who, not being able
q, once 10 stop his career, gave an angry
growl and followed the deer again, bul
as distance Of some hundred yards ;
hearing The growl. the bear drew her boz
dy half out Of the bushes, remaining
quietly OH the lookout. Soon the deer
again appeared, bu, his speed was much
reduced-and as he approached towards
the spo, where the bear lay concealed. il
was evident tina. the animal was caIcu-
laiing the distance with admirable preci.
sion.
The panther. now expecting easily to
seize his prey, followed abou, thirty , ards
behind. his eyes so in,en.ly fixed on The
deer that he did not see bruin at all. Not
so the bear. She was aware of the close
vicinity Of her wicked enemy, and she
cleared the briars and squared herself for
action, when the deer with beauii-
lul and powerful spring. passed clean over
the bears head and disappeared. Al The
moment he took the leap the panther was
close upon him, and was just balancing
himself for spring, when he perceived,
10 his as,onishalen,, that now he was
faced by formidable adversary; not the
leas, disposed TO iy, he crouched, lashing
his ilanks with his long tail. while the
bear, about five yards from him, remained
like statue, looking a. the panther ' i.l'
her fierce glaring eyes. alas
For minute they remained thus the
pan,her's sides heaving with exeriion. agi.
lated, and apparently undecided; The bear
perfectly calm and notionless. Gradually
the panther crowled backwards ill at 9
right distance for spring, when, throwing
all his weight upon bis hind parts, to ia.
crease his power. he darted npon the bear
like lightning, and forced his claws into
her back. The bear, with irresistible
force, seized the panther with her two
fore paws, pressing j, with the weight oI
her body, and rolling over it. heard a
heavy grunt, plainiive howl. crashing
of bones, and the panther was dead.
The cub Of The bear came TO ascertain
whatwas going on, and after Few minutes
examination Of The victim. il s,ruiied down
the slope Of The hill, followed by its moth.
er, who was apparently nnhuri. ! did
not attempt to prevent their retreat, for
among real hunters in the wilds there is
feeling which resirains them from at
iackiug an animal which has just under.
gone deadly strife.
This is a very common practice Of the
deer. when chased by the panther--thsl
Of leading him 10 the haunt Of bear;
have often Witnessed il. although never
knew the deer 10 return as in this In
stance. p;ffas Ni1f Ref0rna