Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1852-01-06

/ put MS mana upon Ills weapon, Will
Ia view Of plungihg it into her throat,
but he was still heldby the fear that
the animal would kill him in her ag-
ony. Besides, helbegan to have an
unwillingness to kill her. In the
lonely desert, she seemed to him like
friend. His admiration Of her
beauty, gentleness, graceful act tivity,
became mixed with less and less of
terror. He actually named her Mig
nome, in remembrance of a lady
whom he had low ed in his youth, and
who was abominaBly jealous Of him.
By the end of the day, be had be-
come so familiar with his dangerous
situation, that he was almost in love
with It's exciting perils. He had
even taught the panther her name.
She looked up in bis face when lie
called "AIignonne.
When the sun went down, she ut
tered a deep and melancholy cry.
'.She is we'll educated" exclaimed
the soldier. "Shd has learnt to say
her evening prayefs.'
He rejoiced to- see the panther
stretch herself out in d drowsy atti-
tude.
@That IS right; iny pretty blame >
said he. "You ha d better go to sleep
first
He trusted d to his own activity to
escape during her slumber. He wait
ed patiently; and when she seemed
sound asleep, he walked vigorously
toward the Nile But he had not
gone quarter of a league over the
sand, when he heard the panther
bounding after him, uttering at in
tervals a long, sharp cry.
"Ofa truth, y S aid he, s:herfriendship
is very fatterips;;t 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 Theipantber seized him
by the collar, and with incredible
strength brought him to the other
side of the ditch at a single bound.
T'NIy dear NIignonne.'' exclaimed
the soldier, caressing her with en-
thusiasm, "our friendship is for Life or
death"
lie retraced his steps Now, that
he had a creature that loved him, to
whom he could talk, it seemedIas if
Che desert were peoPled. Having
made signal flag Of bis shirt, he
concluded to wait patiently for hu-
man succor. It was his intention to
have watched during the night, but
sleep overpowered him Whd dn he
;lwoke, NIignonne was gone. He
ascended tie eminenee to look for
her, and soon perceived her at 4 dis
tance, clearing the desert with long,
high bounds.
When receiving his cafgssIs, she
purred aloud, and fixed her 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: "Ah, ah, Miss!
you have been eating some of the
Maugrabin. Amt you asGamed?-
Never mind; there are worse animals
thon you are. But please don't take
a fancy to grind up q Frenehma n
If you do, you won't have me I'd love
you any more. =
This singular animal was SO fond
Of caresses and play, that if her. com-
panion sat many minutes withot II no.
ticing her, she would put her paw in
his lap to attract attention. Several
days passed thus.
The panther was always successful
in her excursions for food, and al
ways returned full of affection and
Joy. She becd me used to all the IN
Elections of the soldier S voice, and
understood the expressions of his
face.9 Sometimes re amused his
weary hours by counting the spots on
her golden fur, and observing how
beautifs they were shadeds she
showed " displeasure e ven when he
held her by the tail to count the
splendid white rings, that glittered in
the sunshine like precious stones
It was a pleas ure TO look upon the
graceful outlines of her FORM and
| the majestic carriage Of her head.-
She delighted him most when in a
frolic. Her extreme gracefulness and
agility, as she glided along, jumped,
bounded, and rolled over and Eover,
was truly surprising. When 81 he was