The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-01-13

HIS ESCAPE FROM PANTHER.
For several years, Dr. Bascofn's labors were a..
signed to the wild and unsettled frontiers of Vir
ginia. Kentucky and Ohio. The haidships and
circuits, would have crushed the spirits Of snv Or
dinary man. He ffeqn-ntly had 10 travel fortv
miles day, through solitary forests and, afier The
fatigues Of such a journey, deliver a sermon Al
night. The roads, at that lime, were scarcely
broken, and there were no bridges over the streams.
winch, in winter, We're often swollen by rains be
yond their banks But this was but slight Oh.
sfacie to the noble pioneer Of the cross He wcuId
force bis horse daringiy forward. and swim across
! .he ioami1g b,liows. TO q soul like his. a wet
to be avoided. On one occasion, while swimming
small stream in K.ntucky, which had been Z, oi
len to an unusual height BY recent rains. The cnr
rent was so rapid that he YVES forced some two
nunaled YARDS below the ford. The drift was
whriing furiously around him, and, on either aide.
the banks were too steep to ascend He saw his
danger. but, with cool self possession, be clung
firmly TO his faithful horse, and the noble animal,
taking downward course, finally emerged safely
from his perils. What contrast does this present
to the smooth and luxurious life of most cIerevmen
Of the present day!
The country through which Dr. Bascom's duty
led him, was wild and very thinly settled. The
forests were filed with ferocious wild beasts. He
was once followed several miles by large panther
which threatened at every step to bou I'd upon him.
and from which he was rescued by reaching, lust
at nghtfal the cabin Of a settler AT another
time, he had gone some distance from the house Of
friend where he was stopping, into the foss.,. and
was lying q1ietlyrs prrusiBg book, and unconscious
oi all danger, under the broad, spreading branches
Of a tree, when he heafd nan crying 10 him. and
telling him to lie still till he fired on the peril Of his
life Quickly glancing his eye in the direction
whence the voice proceeded, he saw his friend with
ms rfe elevated and pointing towards the branches
OF the tree under which he was lying. Perfectly
familiar with backwoods life, Dr.. Bascom knew
that some horrible danger was lowering over him.
ana, without the least perceptbe motion of his
body, he instantly turned his gaze upward when
he saw, on limb Of the tree, not more than twenty
.seI @ ABOVE nim, a majestic panther, whsking his
tan and just ready 10 leap upon him. This was
fearful moment What nerve it required to retain
his self-possession, and thu save his life for the
FASTENED the spig 81 s Nj yal5sse lBsses% would have
late tor ever! And in that fearful moment, when
death seemed inevitable, with a self-controi and 4
courage truly wonderful, he laid perfectly quiet till
the keen crack Of the rife was heard, and the Zero
cous beast, pierced by the unerrng aim OF the hack
woodsman, fell lifeess by his side.
ANOTHER REncoNrER.
While on the circuit Of Western Virginia. I
think it was, Bascom stopped at noon at cabin.
recently erected by the road-side. He sat down by
invitation to dine with the family. A lovely little
child about three years old, which had attracted
his attention by its sweet smiles and rare beauty
was PioyihS in Hout oi the uoor, while the family
were engaged in the homsly repast, when suddenly
heart-pierclng cry was heard from without.
" My child my child" screamed the mother.
and as quick as thought all rushed to the door.
Father OF mercies, what sight was here pre-
sented to the gaze Of doting mother, A terrible
panther had sprung upon her unwary darling, aud
was ascending tree, bearing the child in its
mouth.
The gun quick! For Gods sake, the gum"
frantically exclaimed the father.
Dr. Bascom rushed into the calm, and seizing
the gun from the rack rapidly returned but alas il
was too. late. he was only in time to see the
innocent, lovely babe torn to pieces in the pres.
ence Of its frantic parents by the nfurated beast
Completely unnerved by the appalling sight, it
require several shots before DR.. Bascom was ena-
bled to bring down the blood THIRSTY animal.
can never forget that awful scene,'' said DR..
bascom, when relating this incident to the writer
some years since. And we'll might he saw so, for
2 more deeply affecting and heart-rending scene
has seldom been recorded in the history of adven-
turous pioneer life.
HIS COAT.
In the composition Of Dr.. Bascom there was no
cant or ostentauous pretence. He could never be
induced to wear the peculiar dress ado,,ed by cler-
gymen Of his church. He believed that true
humility IS a principle Of the soul and does not
consist either In eccenricty of habits or the cut Of
the coat. He always dressed with neatness and
taste. This SO much displeased the "elder breth-
rem that he was called to formal account bv
number Of senior clergymen. After listening res
pectiuliy to the arguments urged against the
fashionable cut Of his garb Dr. Bascom deliberately
arose, pulled oil his coat, and, hanging it on a
chair, desired to know whether it was himself or
the coat that preached. His censurers smiled al
the oddity Of the argument, and told him to dress
as he pleased