The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-07-01
WHOLE NO. 6ss.
THE PANTHER ON THE PRAIRIE.

1t was towards the close of sultfy
day that Anne, burning with fever, inn
plored the faithful Abigail TO give hel
drink of cold water. Fastening 10 the
water.cask, the old woman was disap-
pointed by finding it exhausted, Richard
having drunk the last drop, who was still
faving in the delirium of fever for more
drink.
"My dear child, there is no waier."
"Oh! am burning-dying with thirst!
Give me but one drop, dear Abigail
one drop of cold waier!''
Jnst then Mrs. Steel returned from
milking the cows, aud Abigail protfered
to the lips Of The child bowl ofnew
milk, but she shrank from il in disgust,
and, sinking back on her pillow, mur-
INJURED, "Water! water! for the love Or
God! give me drink Of water.." n97
"Whe,e is the pailf" said Mrs. Steel
81 don't much like going aIone to thai
well; but it is still broad day and ] know
tina. in reality there is nothing 10 fear; I
cannot bear to hear the child moan fcE
drink in that terrible way" saa
"Dear mother" said Richard, faiasly,
"don'. 60, father will be in soon; we eaR
wait ill then"
"Ohl the poor dear child is barningrS
cried Abigail, "she canno: wait sill then;
do, neighbor, 60 for the wafer, l with stay
with the children, and put out the milk
whils you are away" .t.,..;.
Mrs. Steel left the shahiy, and in few
minutes aher, the patients exhausted BY
suffering, fell into profound Sleep
Abigail busted herself scalding the milk
pans, and, in her joy a, The young pee-
Plies cessation from pain, forgot the
mother altogether. About half an hoHs
had elapsed, and the mellow fight OF
evening had faded into night, when Steel
returned with his oxen from the field.
The moment he entered the shanty be
went up to The bed which contained his
sick children, and satisfied that the fever
was abaling, he looked round for bis sup~
per, surprised that il was not, as usual,
ready for him upon the table.
"No water" he cried, sin the cask, md
supper no, ready! After working all day
in the burning sun, a man wants to have
things made comfortable for him at
night. Mrs. Winchester, are you herei
Where is my wifew
"Merciful goodness!" exclaimed the
old woman, turning as pale as death, ais
she not back from the wellf"
"The WELT" cried Steel, glasping ber
arm, show long has she been gonef''
"Thia half hour, or more"
Sleel made no aDSwer-his cheek was
as pale as her own; and taking his gun
from the beam, to which it was slung, he
carefully loaded j. with ball; and without
ut,ering word left the house. ,s
Day still fingered upon the open
prairie, bu, The moment he entered the
bush, ii was deep night. He had crossed
the plain with rapid strides, but as he ap>
preached The swamp. his step became
slow aud cautious. The well was in the
centre Of a jungle, from the front Of
which Richard had cleared away the
brush TO facilitate their access 10 the
water; as he drew near tie spot, his,ears
were chilled by low deep growing, and
the cbrunching Of teeth, as if some wild
animal was devouring the bones Of it's
! prey. The dreadful Truth, with all ils
shocking, heart-revolting reality, flashed
upon the mind of the yeoman, and for
the moment paralysed him. The pre-
cincis of the well were within range Of
his rife, and dropping down upon his
hands and knees, and nerving bis arm
for clear aim, he directed his gaze to
The spot from whence the fatal sounds
proceeded. A little on one side of the
we'll, pair Of luminous eyes glared like
green lamps at the edge of the dark
wood; and the horrid sounds which
curled the blood Of the yeoman became
more distinctly audible.
Slowly Steel raised the rifle 10 his
shoulder, and setting lis teeth, and hold-
ing his breath, he steadily aimed at
space between those glowing balls of
fire. She sharp report Of the rife awoke
the far echoes Of the forest. The deer
leaped up from his lair, the wolf howled
and fled into the depths of The wood, and
the panther, for such il was, uttering
hoarse growl, sprang several feet into the
air. then fell across the mangled remains
of bis victim.
Richard Steel rose from the ground;
the perspiration was streaming from bic
brow; his limbs tremb.ed and shook, his
lips moved conyulsively, and he pressed
his hands upon his heaying breast to keep
down the violent ihrobbings Of bis agita--
ted heart. 1t was not fear that chained
him TO the spot, and hindered him from
approaching his dead enemy. Il was
horror. lie dare not look upon the
mangled remains of his wife7-ihe dear
partner Of hisjoys and sorrows 1.-The COM
panion Of bis boyhood-the love OF his
you,h-the friend and counsellor Of bis
middle age--ihe Beloved mother of his
children. How could he recognize in
that crushed and de6lsd heap bis poor
Janet The pang was too great for his
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