The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-06-17
THE PANTHER FOOLED.
MARROW ESCAPE OF AN OLD HUNTER.

81 =
Old Ben Wheaton, who lived in Brier Valley,
about two miles from Susquehannah river, was
an inveterate lover of forest sports. He, like
most of the early settlers of Otsego had selected
farm from the hill lands, leaving the broad
swamp fats for hunting grounds His shanty
was erected on a small stream in Brcr Valley,
which is now called after his name, Wheaton
Greek. The most of his time was expended in
journeys through the forest, frequenting COM
pany with far-famed Mohawk Indian, namod
Antoine; but sometimes Ben loved to persue his
sports without companion. And we'll he might,
for he did not need guide. Every nook dell,
crevice, and cave, from Otsego Lake to the
mouth of the Delaware river, was familier to
Ben Wheaton, and he had often pursued his
game to almost every part of that country.
He chiefly hunted the WOLF as well for profit as
for sport, for Government paid silver dollar,
in the shape of a bounty on every skin.
Bent upon increasing his store Of coin, old
Ben, one fine summer morning, shouldered bis
rifle, and taking his knapsack. containing o
sufficient supply Of corn-cake and dried vcnison
he crossed the Susquehannah, and took his way
towards Franklin Mountain, which lies between
the villages Of Otsego and Franklin.
The day was sultry, and by the time he had
accomplished one-half the ascent of the noun
tain, he concluded that he needed rest He
near spring, and ate his luncheon The still
solitude, the balmy air, together with singing
Of BIRDS and the lazy hum of the bee, finally
lulled him to repose. He must have slept long
for when he awoke the sun was declining taI
westward, and few ripples of golden light
fingered on the tree tops, which he first noted
after clearing mass of dry leaves from his
face, which he thought had blown there; but in
attempting to rise, however, he discovered him
self completely bnried in them
Now, II Is notorious fact that the panther
will cover q sleeping or dead body, and leave it
for time, but only eventually to return and
devour 1t. The instant Ben awoke, therefore
the truth flashed upon his mind that a panther
had found and concealed him, and thai the
beast might at that moment be watching him
ready to make the fearful spring. He arose
quickly, slezed his rifle, and rested il against O
tree, and hastily throwing together some large
pieces Of decayed wood. and covering 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-stealing along
with cat-like tread, aud with two cubs behint
her, which she hid In some brushwood, Drop
ping herself on the ground, she crept slowly
toward her expected prey, flashing the eartt
with her tail, and her eyes glowing like coa
Of fire! The appearance of things however, die
not seem to satisfy her, but she sprang up ele
waited her back, and threw herself on her sup
posed victim with wild yell. The wood ant
leaves flew about in every direction, and for q
moment the panther seemed palsied by rage
Suddenly she leaped aside, dropped her tail
and then peered around among the brushwood
then raising her eyes upwards, (fairly emitting
sparks offre in her anger,) she encountered the
hunters gaze fixed upon her. With another
screech more terrible than the first, she pre-
pared to spring towards him. when, with an
aim that seldom failed, old Ben fired, and she
fell, tearing the earth with her claws. The
shot was fatal.
Our adventurous hunter reloaded the empty
barrel, and waited for her companions 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 darkenng shad-
ows Of night were creeping into the landscape
With true backwoods audacity, he relied upon
his fire for protection from further quadrupedal
providers, and stretching himself, with his feet
TO the burning wood, on the leaves that had be
fore covered him, he once more resigned him
self to the embrace Of Morpheus He often
afterwards characterized the escape as the mar
rowest one he ever experianced.-N Y. Sunday
Tines