The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-10-20

dened with the pain, made but two leaps
before be reached his assailent. Myers
met him with the butt end of his rife, and
staggered him little with two or three
heavy blows, but the rifle broke, and the
animal grappled him apparently with his
full power. The Indians at once gave
Myers up for dead, and only thought Of
making timely retreat for themselves.
Fearful was the struggle between Myers
and the panther, but the animal had the
best of it at first, for they soon came tc
the ground, and Myers underneath, suf.
fering under the joint operation of sharp
claws and teeth, applied by the most
powerful muscles In falling, however
Myers, whose right hand was at liberty,
had drawn long knife. As soon as
they came to the ground, his right arm
being free, he made desperate plunge
at the vitals of the animal, and as his
good luck would have it, reached his
heart. The loud shricks of the panther
showed that it was death-wound. He
quivered convulsively, shook his victim
with a spasmodic leap and plunge, then
looscned his hold and fell powerless by
his side. Myers, whose wounds were Sc
we're but not mortal, rose to his feet
bleeding and much exhausted, but with
life and strength to give a grand whoop.
which conveyed the news of his victory
to his trembling Indian friends.
They now came up to him with shout.
ING and Joy, and so full of admiration
that they were almost ready to worship
him. They dressed and bound up his
wounds, and were now ready to pursue
their journey home without the least i'm.
pediment. Before crossing the river
however, Myers cut off the head of the
panther, which he took home with him
and fastened it up by the side of his cab.
indoor, where it remained for years, q
memorial Of deed that excited the ad.
miration of the Indians in all that region
From that time forth they gave Myers
that name, and always called him the
Panther.
Time rolled on, and the Panther con-
tinued to occupy his hut in the wilderness,
on the bank of the Illinois river, gen.
eral fayorite among the savages, and ex-
ercising great influence over them. AT
last the tide of white population again
overlook him, and he found himself once
more surrounded by white neighbors.--
Still, however, he seemed 10th to forsake
the noble Illinois, on whose banks be
had been SO long fixture, and he held
on, forming sort of connecting link be-
tween the white settlers and the Indians
! At length hostilities broke out, which
resulted in the memorable Black Hawk
War, that spread desolation through that
part of the country. Parties of Indians
committed the most wanton and cruel dep
relations, often numbering old friends and
companions, with whom they had held
long conversation. The white settlers
for some distance round, focked to the
cabin of the Panther for protection. His
cabin was transformed into a sort of gar
rison, and was filled by more than hun
dred men, women and children, who rest
ed almost their only hope of safety on the
prowess of the Panther, and his influence
over the savages.
At this time party of about nine hun
dred of the Iroquois tribe were on the
banks of the Illinois, about mile from the
garrison of Myers, and nearly opposite
the present town of La Sale. One day
news was brought to the camp of Myers
that his brother-in-law and wife, and
their three children. had been cruelty
murdered by some of the Indians. The
Panther heard the sad news in silence
The eyes of the people were upon him
to see what he would do. Presently they
beheld him with deliberate and deter.
mined air, putting himself in battle array
He girded on his tomahawk and seal ping
knife, and shouldered his loaded rifle
and at open midday, silently and alone
bent his steps towards the Indian encamp'
ment With a fearless and firm tread, he
marched directly into the midst of the as.
sembly, elevated his rife at the head o.
the principal chief present, and shot bin
dead on the spot. He then deliberately
severed the head from the trunk, and
holding it up by the hair before the awe
struck multitude he exclaimed, "You have
murdered my brotherin-law, his wife ant
their little ones; and now | have murder
ed your chief. ! am now even with you
But now mind, every one of you that il
found here tomorrow morning at sunrise
is dead INDIAN"
All this was accomplished without the
least molestation from the Indians. These
people are accustomed to regard any re
markable deed Of daring as the result O.
some supernatural agency: and doubtless
so considered the present incident. Be
lieving their chief had fallen victim t.
some unseen power, they were stupiiet
with terror, and looked on without ever
a thought of resistance Myers bore of
the head in triumph to his cabin, wher'
he was welcomed by his anxious friends
almost as one returning from the dead
The next morning not an Indian was t.
be found anywhere in the vicinity. Thei
camps were deserted, and they left for
ever their ancient haunts and their dead