, 1858-07-02

chiet, 70 the amazement Of the whole party,
marched deliberately toward the panther. The
lndians Kept at cautious distance to watch the
result oi tne fearful battle. Myers walked stead
ny up 70 within about two rods Of the panther,
keeping nus eye hxed upon him, while the eyes
Oh tne panther flashed fire and his heavy growl
oetokened at once the power and the fierceness
oi tne animal. AT about two rods distance, Ny
ers leveled his rifle took deliberate aim, and fired
Inc snot infiicted heavy wound, but not fatal
one; and the furious animal maddened with the
pam, made but two leaps before he reached his
assailant Myers met him with the butt-cnd Of
his rifle, and staggered him little with two or
three heavy blows, but the rifle broke, and the
animal grappled him apparently with his full
power. The Indians at once gave Myers up for
dead, and only thought Of making timely retreat
Tor themselves
Fearful was the struggle between Myers and
the panther, but tho animal had the best of it at
nrs1 Tor they soon came to the ground, and Myers
was underneath, suffering under the joint opera
tlOn Oh sharp claws and teeth, applied by the
most powerful muscles In falling, however,
Myers whose rignt hand was at liberty, had
uraWn rom ms oeitalo long knife. Assoon as they
came 70 'ne grounu' ms rght arm oeing yet free,
ne maoe desperate plunge at the VitaIs Of the
AnU1A anu Is LIS goOo luck would nave IL reach
% ms near1 Inc ioud shr1eks Of the panther
showed na' was oeatn-wound. lie quivered
cOnVulslVely' snook MS victim with spasmodic
ieaP anu plunge tnen ioosenlng his hold, he fell
PO"eriess 70 tne eartn' Myers, whose wounds
were severe out not mortal, rose to his feet,
Oleeuing ana mueh exhausted, but with life and
suengsn enough lett 70 give grand whoop, which
conveyed tne news oil his victory to his trembling
lho.an az friends
iney now came up 70 MN witn shouting and
JVy' Ai'u - iuii u sura'iOn tnat tney were al
must leAuy o worship MN lney dressed and
pound up ms wounds ana were now ready to Pur-
sue 'ner journey nome "lthout any impeachment
neiOre crossing tne riSer' however, Myers cut on
'nc neao Oh tne Pantner, winch ne took home
WIN uiin' ana msteneu IL up oy tne s'de Of MS
caoin uOOr' wnere IL remained iOr years q memo
r'a, o. q deed tnat excited the admiration Of the
inoians IN OIL thAtregion From that time forth,
tney gave Myers new name, and always called
nim the Fanther.
Time rolled on, and the Panther continued for
years TO occupy his hut in the wilderness, on the
banks Of the Illinois river, general favorite
among the savages, and exercising great influence
over them AT last the tide Of the white pOpu-
iauon again overlook him, and he found himself
once more surrounded by white neighbOrs. Still,
however, he seemed loath to tOrsake the noble
Illinois on whose banks he had been 50 long a
nxture' and ne held on iorming sort Of con-
necang INK between the white settlers and the
iudianA
Atlengtn hosuiltles broke out which resulted
IN the memorable Black Hawk war, that spread
desolation and sadness through that part Of the
country. Parties Of Indians committed the most
wanton and cruel depredations upon the white
settlers in every direction, often numbering old
friends and companions, with whom they had
long held friendly intercourse. The white set
tiers, Tor some distance round, hocked to the
cabin Of the Panther Tor protection. His cabin
was transformed into q sort Of garrison, and was
riled oy more than hundred men, women, and
children, who rested almost their only hope Of
SAFETY on the prowess OF tne fantner ana MS great
influence over the savageS
AT TINS time . party Of about nine hundred Of
tne lroquos trioe were encamped on the banks
Of the Illinois, about mile rom the garrison Of
Myers. and nearly opposite the present town Of
La sale. One day' news was brought to the
camp Oh Myers tnat ms Drotner-in-laW and WIFE,
and tneir three httle children, had been cruelty
murdered by some Of these Indians. The Pan