Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-26
PUBLISHED EVERY AFTERNOON,
(EXCEPT Sunday
THE PANTHER FOILED.
arrow Escapr of an Old Hupt.r

Old Ben Wheaton, who lived in Brier Valley,
about two miles from the Susquehannah river
was an inveterate lover of forest sports He
like most Of the early settlers Of 0tsego had Sc
lected farm from the bill lands, leaving the
broad swamp flats for hunting grounds. His
shsnty was erected on a small stream in Brier
Valley, which is now called, after his name
Wheaton Creek. The most of his time was ex-
pended in journeys through the forest, frequent
IL in company with a far-famed Mohawk In
dian, named AntOne but sometimes Ben loved
10 pursue his sports without a companion
And we'll he might, for he did not need guide.
Every nook. dell. creyice and cave, from the
Otsego Lake to the mouth Of the Delaware river,
wus familiar 10 Ben Wheaton, and he had often
pursued his game to almost every part of that
country. lie chiefly hunted the wolf, as well
for profit as for sport, for government paid
silver dollar, in the shape of bounty, on every
skin.
Bent upon Increasing his store Of coin, old
Ben, one fine summer morning sh)uldered his
rife, and taking bis knapsack, containing a
sufficient supply of cOrn-cake and dried veni-
son, he crossed the Susquehannah, and took
his way towards franklin Mountain, which
.ieS between the villages OF OtSego and Franklin.
The dag was sultry, and by the time he had
accomplished one half the ascent of the noun
tain. he concluded that he needed rest. lie
therefore took q seat upon a mOss-covered log.
near a spring, Gnd ate hiS luncheon. The still
sD!itu lc, the balmy air, together with the sing
ing Of birds and the lazy hum Of the bee, final
ly lulled the hunter to rerOSe. He must have
slept long; for when he awOkc the sun was de-
elininy far westward. and few rpples of go-
den light fingered on the tree tops, which he
hrst noted after clearing a mass of dry leaves
from his face which he thOught had blown there;
but in attempting - rise, however. he discover.
ed himself completely buried in them
Now, it Is a notorious fact that the panther
Il. n
for time, bat only eventually TO return and
dew 1t. The instant Ben awoke, therefore.
th' truth flashed upon his mind that panther
had found and concealed him, and that the
beast might at that moment be watching him,
ready to make the fearful spring. He arose
quickly. seized his rife. that rested against a
tree, and hastily throwing together some large
pieces Of docayod wood, and covering them
with leaves, he climbed tree and waited pa
tlently the psnther's coming. He had not to
wait long. Presently he saw it-a she one
stealing along with cat-like tread, and with two
cubs behind her, which she hid in soma brush
wood. Dropping herself on the ground she
crePt slowly toward her expected prey. lashing
the eartS with her tail, and her eyes glowing
like Goals of fire. The appearance of things
however, did not seem to satisfy her, but she
sprang up, elevated her back and threw herself
upon her supposed victim with wild veil
The wood and leaves few about in every direc-
tJn- ana Tor a moment the panther seemed
Pllsied Dy rage. Suddenly she leaped aside
drOPt her tail, and peercd around among the
brushwOOd; then raising her eyes upwards
fairly emitting sparks of fire in her anger.) she
e1cOuntered the hunters gaze fixed upon her.
With another Screech more terrible than the
first, she prepared TO spring toward him. when
with aim that seldom failed. old Ben fred
AMI she fell. tearing the Garth with her claws.
The shot was fatal
Our adventurous hunter reloaded the empty
barrel, and waited for her companions to come
mp, but none arrived, so he killed the cubs and
built FIRE. This was a necessary proceeding
for the sun had set, and the darkening shadows
Of night were creeping into the landscape.
With true backToOd's audacity, he relied upon
his IRE for protection from urther quadrupedal
providers, and stretching himself, with his feet
to the burning wood, ON the leaves that had be-
fore covered him, he once more resigned hin
self to the embrace Of Morpheus. He often af-
terwards characterized the escape Is the mar
rowest one he had ever experienced.-N. Y
Sunday Times.