The North-Carolinian., 1857-06-06
The Panther Fooled.

NARROW ESCAPE OF AN OLD HUNTER
Old Ben Wheaton, who lived in Brier Val
ley, about two miles from the Susquehannah
River, was an inveterate lover of forest sports
He like most of the early settlers of Ostego
had selected farm from the hill lands, leav-
ing the broad swamp fats for hunting grounds.
His shanty was erected on a small stream in
Brier Valley, which is now called after his
name, " heaton Creek. The most of his time
was expended in Journeys through the forest,
frequently in company with far-famed Mohawk
Indian, named Antoine; but sometimes Ben
loved to pursue bis sports without coa1panion.
And we'll lie might for he did not need guide.
Every nook, dell, crevice, and cave, from the
Otsego Lake to the mouth of the Delaware
q ;....
prrt Of that country. He ch1enJ ~nunted Che
| wolf as we'll for the profit as for sport, for
Government paid silver dollar, i'll the shape
of bounty, on every shin
Bent upon increasing his store of coin, old
Ben, one fine summer morning, shouldered his
rifle, and taking his knapsack, containing
sufficient supply of corn-cake and dried venlson,
he crossed the Susquehannah, and took his
wav towards Franklin Mountain, which lies
between the villages of Ostegs and Franelin
The day was sutry and by the time he had
accomplished one-half the ascent Of the noun
tain, he concluded that he needed rest. lie
therefore took seat upon moss-covered log,
near spring, and ate his luncheon. The still
solitude, the balmy air, together with the sing
ing of birds, and the lazy hum of the bee, hnal-
~ lulled the hunter to repose. lie must haze
slept long for when he awoke the sun was de-
clining far westward and few ripples Of golden
Io which he first
noted after cleafing a mass of dry leaves from
his face, -.vhick7,e thought had blown there;
but in-attempting to rise, however, he olscov-
ercd himself confyletely buried in them.
Now If is a notorious fact that the panther
will cover sleeping or dead body and leave it
for q time. but only eventually TO return and
davou, # The Instant Ben awoke, therefore,
tho truth asshcd upon his mind that panther
nad found aud coueealed. .him, and that the
beast mghtat that moment be watching him.
I-reody to make the fearful spring. lie arose
ouicI]y seized his rifle, that rested against u
tree and hastily throwing together some large
nieces of decayed wool, and covered them with
leaves, he lisibed a tree and waited patlen'iy
the panthel's coming. He had not 10 "ai'
| long Presently he saw it--a she one-steai-
ING with a cat-like tread, and with two cuos oe-
hind her. which she hid i'll some brush-wooo.
Dropping herself Oh the ground. She crept
slowly towards her expected prey flashing the
earth with her tail, and her eyes glowing hke
.coals of are! The appearance OF things, how
ever did not seem to satisfy her, bat she sra"s
an elevated her back, and, threw herself upon
, her supposed victim with a Wild yell. Inc
wood and leaves flew about in every direction:
and for a moment the panther seemed palsea
by rage Suddenly she leaped aside dfopt her
! tail and ueered around among the hnsh "ooo'
) then raising her Eyes upwards, (fa'r'y emitting =
e sparks Of fire in her anger,l she encoun.erea
the .hunters,axed upon her. With ano'nel nr
scree,h more terrible than the first, she pfepar.
cd to spring t5kards him, when, with an e'm au'
= that seldom failed, old Ben fired, ana sac le!'
tearing the earth with her claws Inc sho'
= Onr adventurous hunter reloaded the empty
barrel and waited for her companions 10 eon's
)! nm but none arrived, SO he killed the cuos ano
!" bnilt a fire. This was necessary Proceedms r,
for the sun had set, and the darkeh'ng
= Of night we're creeping into the anusc'ro ANUS ir.
with the backwoods sudacity ne feneu art,. rp.
on his fire for protection from further q, h;s
medal prowlers and stretching h'mse" Nv W." haa
sect to the burning wood or leaves tlas s ,.ra. r.
!. before covered him. he once more fesiS afteu
self 70 the embrace of Morpheus. ne H or.."
.fterwards characterised the escape as Tue ""'
: rou.ost one he had ever experienced.