The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1857-11-07
rs 3 r@EAEA s@4.s go
Vol. NO. ~.
/. "a f. From "Poster's Spirit
4 NIGHT WITH A PANTHER.

traversed a great part OF the Western
territory, l found myself in the pleasant,
beautifully situated, and healthy little
village Of Fayetteville, in the north
western part Of Arkansas. Here, in con-
sequence of the large quantity Of game
with which the ncighborhood abounded,
I determined to devote few weeks TO |
recruiting my strength, which owing to
the laborious manner in which l had
Travelled, had become very much exhaus-
ted, and also to enjoy the pleasure Of my
favorite amusement hunting.
Upon one of my hunting excursions /
had been siDgularly unsuccesstul-not
having had a single shot during the
whole day, and, as might be supposed
felt in not very joyous mood; for upon
previous occasions had met with great
success. This i'll luck caused me to re-
main in the forest much longer than l
had anticipated; found that it was al
ready beginning to get dark, and l had
quite a distance to travel through the
lonely forest before reaching the village
Weary in body and harrassed in mind,
in consequence Of my want OF success, l
slowly retraced my steps. Soon the dark
mantle of night was spread upon the for
est, and las yet. perceived no signs OF the
opening. hastene my steps thinking
II possible, to reach the clearing ere it be-
came too dark for me to travel. Faster
and faster walked, until | found myseii
going at a brisk trot, alth ough at every
step nv clothes were torn by the brush,
and nv flesh considerably lacerated.
Soon, however, I was compelled to slack
en- nv pace. as it had become so dark that
/ was unable to distinguish the trees,
and rather reluctantly came to the conclu-
sion that would have to take up my quar-
tiers for the night where was.
As nv mind was thus employed, trying
TO arrange some plan for my nights ac-
commodstion, was startled by piercing
Shrek. as of some person in distress. l
stopped suddenly, and endeavored to peer
into the darkness for an explanation.
Again heard the sound, although np-
parentlv at not so great distance from
me as the first. 1 stopped then irreso-
lutelv. Were it human being, it would
be my duty to render any assistance that
might be in my power and. At this
roint or my meditations, | perceived
through the under-brush, short distance
from me, two objects close together, re-
sembling small balls Of fire.
Ihad now OWNED the cause of the noise
I had heard 1t proceeded from wild
animal and that animal was now watching
me with its fire.like orbs. / hastily raised
nv rife. and fred, but as the object was
some distance from me, and not being
able to draw a sight. must have missed
il. for no sooner had pulled the trg-
ger. then, with two or three bounds 1t was
before me. I now discovered, from its
close proximity. that it was panther
that much dreaded and savage animal
which old hunters, even when well equip,
ped. are 10th to meet. / drew my hun
ting knife. not having time to reload my
rife, and waited for the fatal spring, but
TO my surprise the panther crouched
down about twelve feet from me, anc
gazed into my eyes in manner not suited
to lessen my excitement. Steadily
watched it, expecting every moment te
be torn 10 pieces by the feroeious animal
although was determined to defend my
life tn the extremity. Olce / endeav.
ored to reload my rife, but the moment
/ commenced to move, the panther rose
as If about to spring upon me. | deter
mined therefore to keep myself in read
mess for the attack for | perceived, from
movements of nv enemy, that should
attempt to move. it would be upon nj
in an instant There We were, in th'
midst Of a dense forest, cycling eacl
other with a bitter enmity.
Thus was kept in suspense for a Ions
time-l knew not how long, for eact
minute seemed an hour, until the pan
Their probably becoming hungry, sloly ad
vanced toward me. When within abou
six feet Of me, it again stopped, aud pre-
pared for the spring. ! retained my com
posure manfully, for although | had beer
much excited on the first appearance O
the animal, the length Of time that hat
interviewed. and the hopeless mess of m,
case had given me new strength, and
determined that if I must die, it woul,
be hravely defending my life.
Suddenly the panther gave spring
This l had anticipated, and planted my
self as firmly as possible, holding my knit,
in such manner that the animal woult
Jump upon it. The shock knocked m,
down; but | knew had buried the knit
in the animals body, for the warm bloc,
that fell upon ne. convinced me of tn,
fact. l had not killed the panther, how
ever; for. before could regain my feet
it was upon me; and, as | had lost m,
knife Immediately upon the first attack
was almost powerlcss, having nothing t.
defend myself with, but what Nature ha,
bequcathed to ME. It again jumped upo'
me. and We rolled over and over upon tn
earth | clasped it with all my powe
around the body and from the tightnes
with which held 1t, it was unable to d
much injury. felt, with pleasure toe
that its strength was decreasing, and con
cluded that it must have entered vita
part. Iheld firmly, knowing, that shoul,
Irelax my efforts, death would be tn
inevitable result Every moment | fel
the strength Of the panther diminish
until it ceased its hold altogether.
knew now that my enemy was dead, i
consequence Of the wound it had receive
in its first attack; and, after | becam
aware Of the fact that its life was extinct
began to examine my own injuries
which. although not severe, were numeI
ous--I found that my breast bad bee
torn considerably on the first attack
bound up nv injuries with my handke,
chief, as well "a circumstances would pc,