The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-09-15

| llIHu W uOuUlc Ht HluTc was OIL
plunding ahead; brt observed that she wa
sinking deeper and deeper, and fast losinl
her strength, al d knew that she could no
hold out much longer | thought at this tim
! that if ] got off her back, and took hold of he
tail, she might manage little better So
slipped backwards over her hips, clung to tn
long hair. 1t did some good for she swan
higher; but we got mighty slow through th
water, and had but little hopes we shoul
reach land. ... ....
! | was towed in this way about quarter o
a mile, when spied something floating on thu
water a little ahead. 1t had grown consider
ably darker; but there was still light enougl
to show me that the thing was a log. Al
idea now entered my head that | might save
myself by taking to the log. The mare woult
then have a better chance Cor herself; and
maybe, when eased of dragging me, who was
keeping her back, she might make footing
somewhere. So waited till she got little
closer, and then, letting go other tail, clasp.
ed the log, and CT lawled on to it. The mare
swan apparently without missing me. saw
her disappear through the darkness; but did
not as much us say goodbye to her, for | was
afraid that my voice would bring her back a.
gain, and she might strike the log with her
hoofs, and 'whammep it about. So lay
quiet and let her have her own way.
81 was not long on the log before discov.
cred it was drifting, for there was a current
in the water that set tolerably sharp across
the prairie. had crawled up to one end and
got astride OF the log; but as it dipped d.consid-
cradle, was still over the hams in water.
thought might be more comfortable towards
the middle, and was about to pull the thing
more under me, when all at once saw there
was something clumped up on the other end
OF the log. 1t was not very clear at the time,
for it had beer growing coudier ever since
left the shanty, but it was clear enough to
show me that the thing was an animal; what
sort could not tell. 1t might be bear and
it might not; but had my suspicious, it was
either bear or panther. Twas not left long
in doubt about the things gender. The log
kept making circles as it drifted, and when the
animal came round in different light,
caught glimpse OF its eyes. l knew those
eyes to be no bears eyes; they were panther's
eyes and no mistak reckon, stranger |
felt very queer just about then. did not try
to go any nearer the middle of the log, but
instead of that, wriggled back until was
right plump on the end of it, and could get no
farther. There sat good long spell, with
out moving hand Of foot. .. '.
was afraid to make motion, as it might
tempt the animal to attack me. | had no
weapon but my knife; had to let go my rifle
when | slid from my mares back, and it had
gone to the bottom long since. was not in
any condition to stand tustle with the pan
ther, nohow; SO was determined to let hin
alone as long as he would me.
"Well, we drifted on for a good hour,
guess, without either of US stirring. We sat
face to face; g. now & then The current would
set the log in a sort ofup and down motion,
and the panther and kept bowing to each
other like pair of bob-sawyers. Icould see
all the while that the animals eyes were fix
ed on mine, and | never took mine srom his;
knew it was the only way to keep him
still.
81 was just wondering what would be the
end of the business, when saw we were get
ting closer to the timber; it was not more
than two miles off, but it was all under water
except the tops of the trees. was thinking
that when the log should float in among the
banches, might off and get my hands upon
a tree without saying anything to my travel
ing companion. Just at that minute some
thing appeared dead ahead of the log. 1t was
like an island; but what could have bro't an is
land there! Then recolected that had seen
a piece o. high ground about that part of the
prairie-a sort of mound that had been made
by the Indians, supposed. This, then, that
resembed the island, was the top of the mouL d
sure enough. The log was drtted in such a
way that saw it must pass within twenty
yards of the mound. determined, then. as
soon as we should got along side to put out
for it, and leave the pantherto continue his
voyage without me.
"When | first saw the island observed
some thing that took for bushes. But there
were no bushes on the mound, that | knew
of. However, when we got little closer, |
discovered thatt the bushes were beasts. They
were deer, for espied apar of bucks horns
between me and the sky. But there was
something still larger than deer. 1t might
be horse, an opelous, or an OK, but thought
it was a horse. was right about that, for a
horse it was; or rather, should say, mare
and that mare was no other than my old crea-
rurc! After parting company, she had turned
with the current; and, as good luck would have
it, had swan in bee-lne for the island, anC
there she stood looking as slick as if she hat
been creased. The log had by this time go
nigh enough, as calculated; and, with as lit
tie rumpus as possible, | slipped over the end
and let 60 my hold of it. | was not righ'
spread ia the water, before heard aplump anC
looking round bit, saw that the panther
had left the log, and taken to the water too
At frs. thought he was after me; drew my
knife with one hand, while swan with The
other. But the panther did not mean to bt
quarresome that time. He made but poo
swimming himself, and appeared glad enoogl
to get upon REORGANIZATION. molesting me
so we swan on side by side, and not wore
passed between us. did not want to max,
a trace of it; so let him pass me, rather than
he should fall behind and get among myllegs
Ofcourse, he landed first; and II could heal