Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-07-29

her, in order TO conciliate her good opinion !;
he patted her neck, and she began 10 waq her
tail and purr. He took hold of her paws. felt
her ears, and rolled her over the grass. She
suffered him to do all this, and when he PLAYED
with her paws, carefully drew in her claws,
lest she should hurt him.
The Frenchman again put his hand upon his
weapon, with view of plunging it into her
throat, but he was still held by the fear that
the anima, would tear him to pieces in her as-
ony. Besides he really begun to have an un-
willingness to kill her. In the lonely desert
she seemed TO him like friend. His admira-
tion of her beauty, gentleness, graceful activi-
ty, became mixed with less and less terror
He actually named her Mignonne, in remem-
brance of lady whom he had loved in his
youth, and who was abomnably jealous of
him. BY the end of the day, he had become
so familiar with his dangerous situation, that
he was almost in love with its exciting perils :;
he had even taught the panther her name
She looked up in his face when he called Mig
nome.
When the sun went down she uttered deep
and melancholy cry. She is well educated
exclaimed the soldier, she has learned to say
her evening prayers '.-
He rejoiced to see the panther stretch herself
out in drowsy attitude. ....
That is right, my pretty blande,' said he !;
you had better go to sleep first ..
He trusted to his own activity to escape dur
ing her slumber. He waited patiently and
when she seemed sound asleep, he walked
vigorously towards the Nile. But he had not
gone quarter of league over the sand,
when he heard The panther bounding after
him, utlering at intervals long and sharp
cry.
Ola TRUTH said he, her friendship is very
fattering, 1t must be her first love- Before
she came up, the Frenchman fell into one of
those dangerous traps of loose sand, from
which it is impossible to extricate ones self
The panther seized him by the collar, and with
incredible strength brought him to the other
side Of the ditch at single bound.
My dear Mignonne,' exclaimed the SOL
der, caressng her, our friendship is tor life
or DEATH
He retraced his Steps. Now he had
creature that loved him. to whom he could
talk, it seemed as if the desert was peopled.
Having made signal flag of his shirt, he
concluded 10 wait patiently for human sue
cor. 1t WINS his intention 10 have watched
during the night, but sleep overpowered him.
When he awoke, Mignonne was gone. He
ascended the eminence to look for her, aud
soon perceived her al n distance, clearing
the desert with long high bounds. When
receiving his caresses, she purred aloud, and
fixed ber eyes upon him with even more
fondness than usual. The soldier patted her
on the neck and talked to her as he would to
domestic animal-'AIl, ah, Miss, you have
teen eating some of the Magraubins. Aiu't
you ashamed? Never mind. There are
worse animals than you are. But please
don't take fancy TO grind up Frencbman.
~
more
This singular animal was so fond of cares.
ses and play, that if her companion sat many
minutes without noticing her. she would put
her paw in his lap TO attract attention. Sew
era days passed thus.
The panther was always successful in her
excursions for food, and always returned full
Of affection and joy; she being used to all
The infections Of the soldiers voice, aud I'M
derstoOd the expression Of his face. Some
times lie amused his weary hours by count
ing the spots of golden fur, and observing
how beautifully they were shaded; she
showed no dspleasure even when he held
her by the tail 10 count the splendid white
rings, that gtlered in the sunshine like
precious stones. II was a pleasure to look
upon the graceful outlines of her form, and
the MA este carriage OF her head. She de-
lighted him most when she was in Il frollc.
Her extreme gracefufness and agility as she
sIded swiftly along, jumped, bounded; and
rolled over, was truly surprising. When
she was dar,ing mp the rocky eminence
| at her swltesI speed, she would stop sud :
| denly and beautifully, as the Frenchman call.
ed Mignonne. s.4 .ttj .4e
One day very large bird sailed through
the air over their heads. In the desert any
thing that has life is intensely inleresting.-
The Frenchman quilted the panther to watch
the Light Of the bird, as he slowly and heav-
lily fanned the air. In few minutes the
Sulana began to growi She is certainly
Jealous thought the soldier, as he looked at
her fierce glittering eyes. They gazed intel
| ligiby at each other-and the proud coquette
eaped as she felt his hand upon her head
her ayes hashed-like lightning, and she shut
them hard.
The creature must have a soul,' exclaim-
ed the Frenchman.
| This account was given by the soldier
of powerful animal in the menagerie a,
Paris.
! Il do not know continued the narrator
what had done to displease Mignonne Sc
nuch-or whether the creature was 10 mere
sport-but she turned and snapped her teeth
at me, and seized hold of mrleg. She did
it without violence--bu, thinking she was
about to devour me, plunged my dagger in-
to her neck. lE W
/ 4
The poor creature rolled over, n,le,ing q