The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-06-19
The Panther Foiled.

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Valley, about two miles from the Susque-
hannah riser, was an inveterate lover of
forest sports. lie, like most Of the early
settlers Of Otscgo. had selected farm from
the hill ands leaving the broad swamp flats
for hunting grounds. His shanty was erec-
ted on Il small stream in Dricr Valley, Which
isnow called, after his name, Wheaton Creek.
The most Of his time was expended in jour
neys through the forest, frequently in COM
pany with far-lamed Mohawk Indian.
named Antoine; but sometimes Ben loved
10 pursue his sports without companion.
And we'll lie might, for he did not need
guide. Every nook, dell, crevicc and cave,
from the Otscgo Lake to the mouth of the
Delaware river, was familiar to ben Whca-
ton, aud he had often pursued his game to
almost every part OF that country. lie
chiefly hunted the wolf, rs well for profit as
for sport, for orgovernmcnt paid silver dollar,
in the shape of:a bounty, on every skin.
Bent upon increasing his store, of coin, old
Zen, one fine summer morning, sllouldcred
his rifle, and taking his knapsack, contain
ing a sufficient supply of corn-cake and
dried venison, he crossed the Suequehannal,,
and took his way towards Franklin Noun
tain, which lies between the villages of o.
sego and Franklin.
The day was sultrv, and by the time lie
accomplished one half the ascent of the
mountain, he concluded that he needed n
rest. lie therefore took scat upon moss.
covered log, near spring, and ate his lun-
chcon. The still solitude, the balmy mir,
together will, the singin. of birds and the
lazy hum of the bcc, finally lulcd the hun
ter to rcpose. lie must have slept long
far westward, and a few ripples Of golden
light fingered OH the tree tops, which he first
noted after clearing a mass Of dry leaves
from his face whiuh he thought had blown
there; but in attempting to rise, how
ever, he discovered h;mselG completely bur
led in them.
Now, it is notorious fact that the pan.
ther, will cover sleeping or dead body,
and leave it for time, but only eventually
to return and dcvour it. The instant Ben
awokc, therefore, the trutl, flashed upon !;
mind that panther had found and c...-
cealed him, and that the beast at that. mo-
ment be watching him, reaG make tffes
fearful spring. lie arose quickly, seized his !
throwing together some large pieces of de-
cayed wood and covering them with leaves,
he cliHbed a tree and waited patientlg the
pantlier's coming. He had not to wait
long. Presently lie saw it-a she one
stealing along with cat-like tread, aud with
two cubs behind her, which she hid in some
brush wood. Dropping herself on the
ground, she, ,crept slowly toward her expect
ed prey, lashing the earth will, 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, ele-
vated her back and threw herself. upon her
yiceim with wild yell. The
wood and leaves flew about in ever direction.
and for moment the panther seemed pal
sled by rage. Suddenly she leaped aside,
dropt her tail, and pccred around among
the brusl.wood then raising her eyes up.
wards, Qairly emitting sparks Of fire in her
anger0 she encountered the hunters gaze
fixed upon her. With another scteech
more terrible than the first. she prepared
to spring towards him when with an aim
that seldom failed, old Ben fired, and she
fell, tearing 4e earth with her claws. The
shot was fatal
Qus adveritdnous, 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
necessary proceeding, for the sun had set,
and the darkching shadows of. night were
creeping into the landscape. With true
overwhelmingly, lc relied upon Iris fire
for protection from further quadrupcdal
prowlcrs, and stretching himself, with his
feet to the burning wood, on the leaves that
had before covered him, he onte moro re-
signed himself TO the embrace Of Morpheus.
He often afterwards characterised the escape
as the narrowest. one lie had ever experien-
ced.--N. II. Sunddy Times.