Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-04-03
Anecdote of Captain Martin Scott.

The GOODNESS and daring Of Captain Scott, who
was considered the best shot in the American Army
was at all times remarkable, but on mo occasion
was the strength and irmness of his nerves more
thoroughlytested than on the following:
While. stationed at Green Bay, he was called
hy lie government tosmake q tour through TN.
State of ILLINOIS, for purposes connected with the
service of the United States.f
One evening, a short time before sunset as he
was crossing one Of Inc 3prairles, which were a
that time unsettled aud uncultivated, lie an
rtoached large bluff, near VIII, Sc base u rock
projected scveral feet in a horizontal direction
leaving vacant space between the lower edge
anu The surface OF the ground. AS he neared The
bluG, the Captain observed fine due Start. from
behind il, andybound across the PRAIRIE lie watch.
ed her agile form, wittsa true hunters rest. until
She disappeared in tie distance; and then turn
lnH 10 the -rIck from whence she had Sartet, he
saw, much to his surprise and pleasure. what he
supposed TO besthe leg of a buck, while the body
Was entirely concealed by n Iutting stone. The
temptation. was too great to be resisted. tie hung
| hunself from his horse, Lich had been taught 10
stand united leaving his pistols i'll their holsters,
and TAXI large hunting knife between his teeth,
he Commenced crawling nOiseieSsly along upon
his hands and knees, with the, ty no means hon.
! orable, intention of SeiZIns his unexpected buck
ship by the leg II possible, milking him prisoner
OF war, or taking his life tile forfeit OF his re-
si>t0nce. In few minutes he reached the spot.
The timid deer had changed into ftr clous panth-
,er, who haG already croucheh. with glaring eyes,
Re ady TO spring upon the coming prey. The sur
prise was mutual. Here was dilemma, from
| which | e hardly knew how TO extricate himself.
Retreat was impossible; and, in pitched bnttle,
the odds were desperately against him. But the
LIST was the only alternative. Knowing the pow
OF the uman eye the brute part of creation.
he CO. cluded 10 Ieconuoitre the foe and give him
nm opportunity OF commencing the attack, ii he
chose so TO do. The panther had determined to
pursue the same polite course. Within four feet
aud excited breath upon Lis cheek, the Captain,
liking his eyes Steadily upon the former, waited
I'LL he should turc his gaze from him. With Scott,
this strange contest WAS Tor life or death. Though
monIentS seemed hours, his gaze iaterrd no. for
an ins.an aud with his eyes fixed upon those oil
the panther, he remained unmuYed, unmovablt,
while he could distinctly hear the beatngS Of his
own heart. In his state OF aHnirS, upon his hands
and knees with no other weapon except he knife
between his tech, and within few feet of his
powSrIul foe, the minutes which passed nect ssari
ly seemed long. AT length the eye uf tile panther
became unsteady, aud IL was evident he was be-
coming uneasy. lie had found more than his
match III the Captain. He began 10 wink and the
latter took courage. Finding that all would not
do 10 throw Scott OF his guard, tile panther now
Escorted to strategy. Closing his eyes Tor several
moments, as IL asleep, he ould then suddenly
open them, but only to find the same gaz- fixed
upon him. The game was grow ng ieSper rate, the
panther Shrank back lew feet and gathered for q
spring. Scott believed that the moment of attack
had now come, and with his eyes steadily meeting
IN Ise Of the panther, who king last efforI
TO look his antagonist out If councnance, he
slowly grnspcd ms knite which he had hhe,to re
tanned between his teet and prepared 10 spring &c
his feet ut the first omsst. moment Of suSpen {
passed, while the panther braclng his hind feet t.
make his spring more effective, with u inaddening
glowl. gave leap 10 side and bounded across
the pralrie as though legion of Scots had been
ut his heels. The Captain thus somewhat unex-
pt ctedly released from his ridiculous, and at the
same time perlous situation, mounted his horse
Grace" and passed lis way, perfectly salts
lied with his experience in the capture OF live
ouckS. -s# - E