The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-08-18
THE DAILY DISPATCH
OLD MYERS, THE PANTHER.
TALE FROM REAL LIFE IN THE BACK.
WOODS
BY sEBA SMITH.

In q country, Ike ours, of almost boundless
forests, rapidly filling up with a growing ard
dely spreading population, the pioneers of
the wilderness, those hardy and daring spirits.
who take their lives in their hands aud march
in advance of civilization into the wild woods,
IL endure pfvations among the wild animals
and run the hazard of 4 wild warfare among
savage tribes, form q very peculiar and inter-
estiug class. Whether II Is q natural hardihood
and bodness, and love of adventure or desire
for retirement, or wish to be free rom the re-
straiuts OF civilized society," that thus leads this
peculiar class OF people into the wilderness
il matters not now 10 inquire. Probably all
these motives IN a greater or less degree 20 TO
make up Tue moving principle.
AT toe head of this class is the renowned
Daniel Boon, whose fame will live as long as
his own kentucky shall find place on the
page OF history. He was the great Napoleon
among the pioneers of the wilderness. But
there others OF less note, whose lives were
also filled with remarkable adventure and
curious and interesting incident. Indeed every
State in the Union has had more or less of
these characters, which go TO make up the
class. One OF these was old Myers, the Pan
iher: man OF iron constitution, Of great power
OF bone and muscle, and an indomitable cour
age that knew no mixture OF fear.
Four times, aud in four different States had
Myers pitched his lonely tent in the wilderness
among savage tribes, and waited for the tide of
tAe white population to overtake him, and four
times had he pulled up stakes" and marched
i'll deeper into the forest, where he mighten-
Joy more elbow room, and exclaim with Sell
kirk,
81 m monarch of all survey,
My right there Is none 10 dispute;'
and now. at The time of which we speak, he
had ahftl time pitched his tent and struck his
fire, on the banks of the Illinois river, in The
oh ,l-
o. the same name. Having lived so much in
the wilderness, and associated so much with
the aborignes, he had acquired much of their
habits and mode OF lie, and in his new loca-
ton Oh the Illinois river, he soon became rather
layorte among The Indian tribes around him.
His skill with the rifle and the bow, and in his
personal ieats OF strength aud agility, were
well calculated 10 excite their admiration and
applause. He often took the lead among them
IN their hui ung excursions and in their games
OF sport. Ii was on one of these occasions
that he acquired the additional name OF "the
Panther"
party of eight or ten Indians, accompanied
by My eIs, had been out TWO or three DAYS ON
hunting excursion. and were returning lades
with the spUils of the chase, consisting of yari-
kinds of wild fowls, squirrels, racoons,
and buffalo tongues. They had used up all
their ammunition except a sing lie charge, which
was reserved in the rifle OF the chief for any
emergency, or choice game which mi ght pre-.
sent itsel on their way home. river lay In
their way, which could be crossed only at one
point without subjectiDg them to an extra
journey OF some ten miles round. When they
arrived AT this point, they came suddenly upon
huge panther, which had taken possession Of
the pass Hnd like skiiliul general, conscious
OF ms suong position, seemed determined 10
hold II. The party retreated little, and stood
ri hay for while consulting what should be
done.
Various methods were attempted to decoy or
trighten the creature from his position, but
without success. He growled defiance when
ever they came IN sight, as much as 10 say, 'it
you want tins strong hold, come and take it,"
The animal appeared to be very powerful and
very fierce. The trembling Indians hardly
dared to come within sight of him, and all the
reconnoiieung had 10 be done by Myers. The
majority were in favor of retreatlng as last as
possible and taking the long journey of ten
miles round for home; but Myers resolutely
resisted He urged the chief, whose rifle was
well loaded, TO march up TO the panther, take
good aim, and shoot HIM down, promising that
The rest OF the party would back him up close
ly with their knives and tomahawks in case of
MISS fire. But the chief refused: he knew too
we'll the nature and The power OF the animal!
l ne creature, he commended, was exceedingly
harI 10 Kill Not one shot IN twenty, however
well aimed, would dispatch him, and if the
shot failed, ii was sure death 10 the shooter;
tor the inluriated animal would spring upon
hlm IN an Instant, and tear him TO pieces. For
similar reasons every Indian in the party de-
clined TO hazard battle with the enemy in any
shape.
Al last Myers in a burst of anger and impa-
uencr, called them all set of towards, and
snutchIng The loaded rifle from the hands of
the chei, 10 The amazeMent of the whole party,
marched deliberately toward the panther. The
Indians Kept at cautious distance to watch
the fearful battle. Myers walked steadily up
TO within about two rods Ut the panther, keep
ing his eye fixed upon him, while the ewes OF
the panther flashed fire and his heavy growl
beIokened Al once the power and the ferceness
OF the animal. AT about TWO rods distance.
Myers lryeed his rife, took deliberate aim
and fred. The shot inflicted a heavy wound
bat not fatal one; aud The furious animal
matdened wih the PUN, made but two leaps
before he reached his assaiiAni. Myers met
h'ln win The bult end OF hs rih =, aud sIaggered
hiHl a iltie witti t~ or three heav. blows, buI
the fh broke. aud Inc animal grappied hiin
apparently yih his full power. he Indians
u once gaze Myers up 10 dead, and only
thought oi making timely retreat for them
selves.
Fearful was the struggle between Myers and
the panther, bul The animal had the best OF il
al hrs, fol they soon came 10 tie ground, aud