Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-07-02
Narrow Escape Of an Old Hunter
Old Ben Wheaton who lived in Rri

Old Ben Wheaton who lived in Briel
Valley, about two miles from the Susque
hanna river, was an inyeterate lover oil
forest sports. He like most Of the early
settlers of Otsego, had selected farm
from the hill lands leaving the broad
swamps for hunting grounds. His shanty
was erected on a small stream in Briel
Valley, which is called after his name
Wheaton Greek. The most Of his time
was expended in journeys through the for
est, frequently in company with fal
famed Mohawk Indian, named Antoine
but sometimes Ben loved to pursue his
sports without companion. And well
he might for he did not need guide
Every nook, deli, crevice and cave, from
the Otsego Lake to the mouth of the Del
aware river, was familiar to Ben Whea
ton, and he had often pursued his game
to almost every part of that country. He
chiefly hunted the Wolf as well for profit
as for sport, for government, paid silver
dollar ia the shape Of bounty, on every
skin.
Bent upon increasing his store Of coin
old Ben one fine summer morning, shoul
dered his rifle, and taking his knapsack
containing a sufficient supply of corn-cake
and dried vension, crossed the Susque
hanna, and took his way toward Franklin
Mountain, which lies between the villages
of Otsego and Franklin,
The day was sultry, and by the time
he had accomplished one half the ascent
Of tho mountain, he concluded that he
needed a rest. He therefore took a Seat
upon moss covered log, near spring
and ate his luncheon. The still solitude
the balmy air, together with the singing
of birds. and the lazy hum of the bee
lulled the hunter to repose. He must
have slept long. for when he awoke the
sun was declining far westward. and a few
rpples Of golden light fingered on the
tree tops, which he tirstnoted after clear
ing a mass Of dry leaves from his face
which had blown there; but in attempt
ing to rise, however. he discovered him
self completely buried III them.
Now, it is notorious fact that the
panther will cover sleeping or dead
body, and leave it for time, but eventu
ally to return and devour it. The instant
Ben awoke, therefore, the truth flashed
upon his mind that panther had found
and concealed him, and the beast at that
moment might be watching him, ready to
make the fearful spring. He arose, seized
his rifle that rested against tree, hastily
throwing together some large pieces of
decayed wood. and covering them with
leaves, he climbed tree, and waited pa
tiently the panther's coming. He had not
to wait long. Presently he saw it; she
one; stealing along with cat-like tread, and
with two cubs behind her, which she hid in
some brushwood. Dropping herself on
the ground, she crept toward her expect
ed prey, flashing the earth 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 on
her supposed victim with wild yell
The wood and leaves flew about in every
direction, and for moment the panther
seemed palsied by rage Suddenly she
leaped aside, dropped her tail, and peered
among the brush wood; then raising her
eyes upward CARLY emitting sparks of
IRE IN her anger) she encountered the
hunters gaze fixed upon her. With an
other screech more terrible than tie first,
she prepared to spring toward him. when,
with an aim that seldom failed, old Ben
fired, and she fell tearing the earth with
her claws.-The shot was fatal.
Our adventurous hunter reloaded the
empty barrel, and waited for her compan
ions to come up, 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 backwood's audacity, he re
lied upon his fire for protection from fur
Their quadrupedal providers, and sire tching
himself, with his feet to the burning
wood, on the leaves that laid before
him, he once more resigned himself to
Morpheus. He O. ten afterwards char
acterized the escape as the narrowest one
he had ever experienced.-N. Y. Sunday
Times.