Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-11-24

too well to think SHOULD sta al the leaS :
chance of escape If | remained in the
camp. | knew, too. that he would ran
sack nv camp. and hoped that the mes +
which left behind would satisfy his ap-
petite, so that he would not follow me
after eating it.
Il had not proceeded more than half
a mile, before knew by the shrieks of The
animal, that he was in sight OF the camp.
| doubled my speed. content that the
beast should have my supper; although
declared | would not rua if | had my
trusty rifle with me. But there could
be no cowardice in my running from an
infuriated catamount. Doubly furious,
probably. b. being hungry, and witt
nothing that could be called a weapon,
save pocket knife.
Il had proceeded probably two-thirds
of the distance home, and hearing moth
ing more cf the fearful enemy. began TO
siacken my pace, and thought l had
nothing to fear. | had left behind abou:
two pounds Of meat. beef and pork, which
hoped had satisfied the ferocious mon
ster. Just as had come 10 this conclu-
sion that | would run no more. and was
looking back. astonished, almost. at the
distance had travelled in so short a
space of time, | was electrified with hoe
ror 10 hear the animal slriek again.
then knew my fears were realized.
The beast he'd undoubtedly entered the
camp, and ate what he could find, and
then had scented my track and followed
me. 1t was about three miles to my log
cabin. and il had already become dark.
redoubIed my speed, but felt that /
must die. And such DEATH The recol
lection Of that feeling comes to my m nd
as yividly as though knew the animal
was now pursuing me. But AN no cow
ard, though to be torn III pieces, and al
most eaten alive by wild beast. was
horrible.
81 calmly unhuttoned my frock, with
the determination TO throw it OF before
the beast should approach me, hoping
thereby TO gain advantage ofhim by the
lime he would lose in tearing it 10 pie
ces.
another shrek. and l tossed the gar
ment behind me in the path. Not more
then five minutes elapsed before heard
shIill cry as he came 10 it, How thaI
shrieh o'ectri led me. / bounded like .
deer. Bat in moment the animal made
another cry. which told me plainly the
garment had only exasperated him TO a
liercer chase.
go, God!' said I, 'and must [ die thus?
can and mast live for my wife and
children, and ran even faster than |
had before, and unbuttonins my waist
coat dropped it in the path as pro-
ceeded. The thoughts of my wife and
children urged me TO the most desperate te
speed, for thought more Of their unpro-
tected state than the death 1 was threat
ened with. for should Ne, what would
become of them?
'ln moment, the whole events Of my
life crowded into my brain. The hot
blood coursed through my veins with a
torrents force. The catamount shreked
louder, and. fast as was running, he was
rapidly approaching me. Nearer and
nearer he came until fancied | could
hear his bounds. At last came to the
brook which you see yonder, and it was
double the size which it is now, for it
was swollen by recent freshets, and
longed TO cool my fevered brlin in it,
but knew that would be as certain
death as TO die by the claws Of the beast.
With three bounds gained the opposite
bank. and tfen could clearly see a hight
in inU rc,
than one hundred rods distant
Il had not proceeded but short dis
tance, before heard the. plunge Of the
ca tamount behind me. l leaped with
more ;han human energy; fox it was life
or death. In "a moment the catamount
gave another wild shrek, as though he
were afraid he would lose his prey. AT
she same instant yelled at the top Of
my lungs at my wife, and in a moment
saw her approach the door with light.
with what vividness that moment
comes back TO my mind. The catamount
was not as for from me as was from the
house. dropped my hat, the only thing
l could leave to stay the progress of the
beast. The next moment l fell prostraie
III my own cabin"
(Here the old settler paused and wip-
ed big drops from his brow, ere he con-
"How long laid when fell, know
not. but when | was reused TO conscious
ness, was lying on my rude couch, and
my wife was bathing my head with cool
water, while my children were gazing
anxlously at me. My wife told me, thas
as soon as fell site Immediately shut
the door and barred it, for she knew that
was pursued. but by whom or what she
knew not; and that as soon as had fal len
and the door closed. fearful spring was
made upon it; but the door was strong
and well barred, and withstood the spring
Of the beast.
''As soon IS fully recovered, | knelt