The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-07-06
The lIunte - Peril.

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In the early settlements Of tho north
western frontierof Penns, lvania, and among
the many dangers Of pioneers life, and
among which Il Q settlers had to guard a.
gainst the most, were wild beasts of prey.
The bears n t only destroyed their grain,
but bore off their lambs and pigs. More
than one nan fell beneath the sharp fangs
Of the pan,hers. The settlers generally
hunters, and in the season. obtained the
choisest vcnson for food. 1t was alright
clear morning ip autumn, when David
Moore set forth, with histrusty rife, to make
observations along the banks Of the Sus
quehanna, for deer icks, and gain knowl-
edge Of their runs; so, when the deer came
:" drink, he could easily kill them. Moore
was stout, burly man, athletic rs an In
dian. His features were mild and noble in
expression. In yea h. was not more than
thlrty-tive. With the rifle Ee WIS an ex-
c"llent shot, an expert huuter, well versed
in woodcraft.
After making all the observations need
ed, and the snn was fat sinking, he prepar-
ell to return home. He had travelled few
mics bomeward direction, when the
the shadows of night were fitting around,
and at distance things could not be dis
tinctly seen. In his course he came to
where panther had crossed, and the tracks
were plainly visible. Hunter like he broke
down some boughs so he would know the
place again il he wished to return in the
morning He had not gone more tha thr-
tyrods when another track crossed his path;
he likewise broke down some more brush.
tie had not gone far when another crossed
his path and stopping he considered:
"This means something, and old Dave
won't he fooled bya plagey panther. Ill
tend TO his case in short time"
He then with measured steps, walked on.
Again and again the panther track crossed
his path. He stopped, and looked around;
night was at last drawing on, and everything
Wore gloomy hue. The hunter unused a.
while and half aloud said.
"rhe scamp, he thought to circumvent
me; III show him trick worth shilling.
Dave Moore will fix him. But III wait and
see him cum round, Ha! there he goes"
Sure enough, the panther was distinctly
seen by the hunter. The panther had cir
ceJ around the hunter, at each circle ap-
preaching his victim. When near enough
he would spring upon his prey and tear him
to the earth, and leave his victims bones
to bleach beneath some forest tree. B
the willy hunte, detaetod his enemy, and
formed his plans accordingly.
The hunter passed on, as though nothing
was at stake. The panther fell to the rear
of the hunter. and noiselessly followed on.
Some thirty rods Were passed over in this
manner, and the panther gaining on Moore
at every rod. Moore kept his eye on the
"var,nint" as he terrre it,
AS Moore sprang over the body of fall
len tree, which laid some three fe, from
the ground, he Instantly turned and
brought his rifle to his shoulder. The
panther, with glaring eyes, sprang with
his f"re-feet upon he log, and az he gath
cred for a spring, the ball from Moores RI
fle entered his brain. Without movement
he sank beneath the fallen tree. The ex-
ritement ofthe moment so worked upon
Mo"re's nerves that he was unable to hold
bis rife, but walked around like one crazeA,
30 great was his bewilderment. Some ff-
teen minutes elapsed before he could load
his piece, aud look 20 the slain panther,
not knowing wherher he was dead or not.
IL" socn stripped the hide from the panth-
'rs sides, and, rolling it up, slung it across
ls shoulder, and then set out for home,
which he reached in less 'han an hour.
In the morning he exhibited the skin to
he neighbors, and related to them his story,
Which was received with sstonishment and
applause. In after years David Moore
vent hy the soubriquent Of "Dayie, the
'anther Hunter"