Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-03-22
VOL. v.

dren, and the old shanty in the Mississippi,
and heap Of things that 1 had left unset
tied, and that now came into my mind to
trouble me. The mare was still plunging a.
head but Iobserved she was sinking deep
er and deeper, and fast losing her strength,
and 1 knew she could not hold out much
longer. I thought at this time that if I
got off her back, and took hold of her tail,
she might manage little better. So I slip
ped backwards over her hips, and clung TO
the long hair. 1t did do some good forshe
swan higher; but we got mighty slow
through the water, and Ihad but little hopes
we should reach land.
I was towed in this way about quarter
Of a mile, when spied something floating
on the water little ahead. 1t had grown
darker; but there was still light
enough to show me that the thing was a.
log. An idea now entered my head that I
might save myself by taking to the log. The
mare would then have a better chance for
herself; ard, maybe, when eased Of drag
ging me, who was keeping her back, she
might make footing somewhere. SO wal
ted till she got little closer, and then, let
ting 90 of her tail, I clasped the log, and
crawled on to it. The mare swan on, ap-
parently without missing me. 7 saw her
disappear through the darkness; but I did
not as much as say good-by to her, for I
was afraid that my voice might bring her
back again, and she might strike the log with
her hoofs, and 'whammep it about. So I
lay quiet, and let her have her own way.
Il was not long on the log before dis
covered that it was drifting, for there was
current in the water that set tolerably sharp
across the prairie. ] had crawled up at one
end, and got astride of the log; but as it
dipped considerable, I was still over the
hams in the water. I thought I might be
more comfortable, towards the middle, and
was about to pull the thing more under me,
VIXEN all all at once saw there was some
thing clumped up on the other end of the
log. 1t was not very clear at the time, for
it had been growing cloudier ever since I
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 a
bear, and it might not; but had my sus-
picions it was either bearor panther. I was
not left long in doubt about the things gen
der. The log kept making circles as it drif-
ted, and when the animal came round into
a different light, Icaught glimpse ofits eyes.
1 knew those eyes to be no bears eyes =
they were panther eyes, and no mistake I
reckon, stranger, l feltvery queer Just about
then. l did not try to 90 any nearer the
middle of the log; but instead Of that, |
wriggIed back until was right plump on
the end oft, and could getno further. There
sac good iong SPELL witlrout moving iSsEIcs
or foot. was afraid to make motion, as
it might tempt the animal to attack me. l
had no weapon butmy knife Ihad let 90 my
rifle when slid from my mares back, and il
had gone to the bottom long since. was
not in any condition to stand tussle with
the panther nohow so l was determined
to let him alone as long as he would me.
Well we drifted on for a good hour.
guess, without either of us stirring. w
sat face to face and now and then the cur
rent would set the log in sort of up AM
down motion, and then the panther and
kept bowing to each other like pair of bot
sawyers. could see all the while that tn
animals eyes were fixed upon mine, and
never took mine from his; I knew it wa
the only way to keep him still.
Il was Just wondering what would be th
end of the business, when saw we wei
getting closer to the timber it was NJ
more than two miles off, but it was all III
, der water except the tops of the trees.
! was thinking that when the log should flo
I in among the branches, might slip off ar
!: !: get my hands upon tree, without sayir
anything to my travelling companion. Ju
: at that minute something appeared de-
: ahead Of the log. 1t was like an islanC
/" but what could have brought an island ther
. Then recollected that | had seen a pie
% Of high ground about that part Of the pr
rie-a sort Of mound that had been ma
y y by Indians, suppose. This, then, that
= sembled IN island, was the top fthat mour
y sure enough. The log was drifting in su
y way that saw it must pass within twer
{, yards Of the mound. determined, the
ol as soon as we should get alongside to !
a out for it, and leave the panther to contir
: : his voyage without me.
:, When | first saw the Island, l obser,
oa something that took for bushes. But tn
were no bushes on the mound, that | ku
Ia Of. However, when we got little close
ia discovered that the bushes were beasts
so They we're deer; for | spied pair of but
nd horns between me and the sky. But I'll
NJ was something still larger than deer
re 1t might be horse, or an opelons or an
nd but thought it was horse. | was ri
-, about that, for horse it was, or rathe
- should say mare, and that mare no OF
We than my old creature! After parting C
i 7 pany, she had turned with the current;
,va as good luck would have it, had swum
ont bee-line for the island, and there she st
on looking as slick as if she had been grea
the The log had by this time got nigh enol
nf' as calculated; and, with as little rum
list as possible, / slipped over the end, and
Md 90 my hold Of it. was not right spl
off in the water, before heard plump,
no looking bit, | saw the panther had left
log, and taken to the water, too! At
\ 10 | thought he was after me; l drew my
that with one hand, while l swan with the o.
d. I But the panther did not mean to be qua
some that time. lie made but poor S,
bout ming himself, and appeared to be glad enc
own to get upon dry ground without mole.
oar me so we swan on, side by side and