Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1857-08-06
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Panther FOilcd.

NARROW ESCAPE OF AN OLD HUNTER.
Old Ben Wheaton, who lived in Briel
Valley, about two miles from the Susque
hannah river, was an inveterate lover o.
forrest sports. He like most of the earl,
settlers of Otsego, had selected farm from
the hill lands, leaving the broad swamr
flats for hunting grounds. His shanty was
erected on small stream in Brier Valley,
which is now called after his name, Whea-
ton Creek. The most of his time was ex.
pended in journeys through the forest,
frequently in company with a far famed
Mohawk Indian, named Antoine; but some.
times Ben loved to pursue his sports with.
out a companion. And we'll he might, for
he did not need a guide. Every nook,
dell, crevice and cave, from the Otsego
lake 10 the mouth of the Delaware river,
was familiar To Ben Wheaton, and he
had often pursued his game TO almost ev-
cry part Of that country. He chiefly hunt
ed the WOLF as well for profit as for sport,
for government paid a silver dollar in the
shape of bounty, on every skin. -
Bent upon increasing his store of coin,
old Ben. one fne sumner morning shoul-
dered his rife, and taking his knapsack,
containing a sufficient supply of corn-cake
and dried venison, he crossed the Susque-
hannah, and took his way towards Franklin
Mountain, which lies between the villages
of Otsego and Franklin. ss..l fr.f -
The day was sultry, and by the time he
had accomplished one half the ascent of
the mountain. he concluded that he need
ed rest. He therefore took a seat upon
a moss-covered log. near spring and ate
hisluncheon. The still solitude, the balmy
air, together with the singing of birds and
the lazy hum of the bee, finally lulled The
hunter to reposs. He must have slept
long; for when he awoke the sun was de-
cling far westward. and few ripples of
golden light fingered on the tree tops,
which he first noted after clearing mass
of dry leaves from bis face which he
thought hsd blown there; but in attempt
ing to rise, however, he discovered himself
completely buried in them. .s55.i = tsst
o Now, it is a notorious fact thai panthers
will cover sleeping or dead body, and
leave il for time. but only eventually 10
return and deyour 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 fearful spring. He earose quick
iy seized his rife, that rested against
tree, and hastily throwing together some
large pieces of decayed wood. and cover
ing them with leaves. he climbed tree
and waited patiently the panther's coming,
He had not to wait long. Presently he
saw it-a she one-siealing along with
cat-like tread, and with two cubs behind
her, which she hid in some brushwood.-
Dropping herself on the ground, she erept
slowly towards her expected prey, lashing
the earth with her tail, and her eyes glow
ing like Goals Of fire. The appearance Of
things however. did not seem to satisfy
her, but she sprang up. elevated her back
ard threw herself upon her supposed VIC
Tim with wild yell. The wood and leaves
few sbout in every direction, and for a