Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-07-16
The Panther Klled-Narrow es-
cape OF an Old Hunter.

Old Ben Wheaton, who lived in Brier
Valley, about two miles from the Susque-
hannah river, was an inveterate lover for
est sports. He, like most of the early set
tiers of 0stagn, -srieCted aT-farm from.
the hill lands, leaving the broad swamp flats
for hunting grounds. His shanty was erect
ed on small stream in Brier Valley, which
is now called after his name, Wheaton Creek
The mast Of his time was expended in Jour
sneys through the forests. frequently in com
pany with a far-iamed Mohawk Indian, nam
ed Atone; but sometimes B loved to spur
sue his sports without companion. Ard
well he might. for he did no. need guide.
Every nooS, deli, cave and crevice, from the
ttsego Lake 10 the mouth OF the Deieware
River, was familiar TO Ben. Wheaton, ,and he
had Of en- pursued his. game to, almost every
part Of the eonntry. He chiefly hunted the
VOLTS as well for profit as for sport, for gov
ernment paid silver dollar, in the shape of
5uuniy, on every skin.
Bent onIincreasing his store of coin, old
Ben, c-e fine sunny morning, shouldered
his rife. and taking his knapsack, coEtsin-s
ing sufficient supply of corn-cake aud dried
venison, he crossed the SusquehaEnah, and
took his way towards Franklin Mountain
which lies between the villages OF Otsego
am franklin. The day was sullry, and by
the time he had accomplished one-half the
ascent Of the mountain, he concluded that
he needed rest He therefore took seat
upon moss covered log, near spring, and
ate his LUNCHEON. The still solitude, the
balmy air, together with the singing ofthe
birds and the lazy hum of the bee, finally
lu led the hunter TO repose. He must have
slept long; for when he awoke the sun was
declining to the westward, and few ripples
of golden light fingered on the tree tops,
which he first noted after clearing mass
thought hal blown there; bat 10 attempting
to rise, however,he discovered himself COM
pletely buried in them. -
Now, it is notoriousfact that the pan
ther will cover sleeping OF dead body, and
leave it for time, but only eventually to re-
turn and devour it. The instant Ben awoke,
therefore, the 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 tata'
spring. He arose quickly, seized his rife,
that rested against a tree, and hastily throw
ing together some large pieces OF decayed
wood, and covering them with leaves, he
climbed tree and waited patiently the pam
ther's coming. lie had not Ito wait long.
lpresc,.tlg lie ssrs it a-sha sa< stF-fiug
alche with cai-,ise tread, md With tive
cubs behind her, which she hid in seme
brushwood
Dropping herself on the ground, she crePt
slowly towards her expected prey, lashiug
the earth with her tail, aud her eyes glow
ing like sparks Of fire! The appearance Of
things, however, did no; seem to satisfy her.
bat she sprang up, elevated her L5sck, and
threw harSelf upon her victim with u wild
veil The wood and leaves flew a5ort in
every direction, aud for moment the
panther seemed Palsied with rage. Sudden
ly she leept aside, dropt her tail, and peer
ed around amnng he brushwood; then rails
irg her eves.upw ards, [fairly emitting sparks
of FIRE in her anger1 she encountered the
hunters gaze upon her. With another
SSreem more terrible than the first, She pre-
pared to spring towards him, when, with an
aim that seldom Jailed, old Ben fred, and
she Tell tearing the earth with her claws -
/ The shot was fatal
/ Our adventurous hunter reloaded the en-
| pty barrel, and waited fo- her companions
to come up, but none arrived. so he killed
the cubs and built FIRE. sThis was ne-
cessary proceeding. for the sun had set, and
the darkening shadows of night were creep
ing in the landscape With true backwoods
audaci'y, he relied upon his 6Ie for protec-
ton from further quadruped ..prowlers, aud
stretching himself, with his feet to the bur-
ming wood. on the leaves that had before
covered him. he once more resigned him
self to the embrace of Morpheus. lie after
wards characterized the escape as the mar
rowest one he ever exgerienced.-Sanday
I Times.