The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-07-30

within their expansive cowhide-" All
that goes to the right spot What a
night It's !" lie shiyercd from head to
foot, as he spoke, and it WAS only with
considerable effort that he succeeded in
getting off his wet boots and his coat
and vest.
Then, as he stood in his shirt-slecves,
with his back to the fire drying himself
as best he might, he said suddenly:
"'ihat blamed cut followed ne through
the long hollcr' again. Darn her ugly
body! L had my. gun this time, but
twas too dark to lire with any certainty.
She must he bard up to chase Il man S
wagon scch night as this All | am
down on her sometime sure | saw her
eyes like two Goals in the darkness
behind me, and | swear! | think she
jumped into my wagon once!'
Dwight rushed in, with tempest of
rain, through the door which he closed
behind him and boltcd.
" Where is the goldfish you were going
to fetch Us - he said.
" In the wagon v said the rivcr-god.
" That's lie ~
The eXprcssman seemed to take this
remark in perfect good part, as though
it were only II common form of denial
amongst the class he associated with.
u" Iisn't there, ell %
d" Nary Goldfish ~
That cut was in my wagon ~ shouted
the stranger, swinging his long arms
about. " She's followed NE for three
year, blame her ugly countcnance -
Eleven cubs I've killed for her, and
still she keeps on runnin' in that
COMPOUNDED hollcr, an | can't get a shot
at her, blame her pictor! What's a
Teller goin' to do! She'll be luggin'
ne out Of the wagon some o these nights,
see if she don't, an Men I'd like to know
where you'll get your Goldfish an store
buds! Darn the cat .John-blame
you tisn't no laughing tcr,--give us
some more Gin !"
The cypressman stood in the center Of
the room, cloud Of steam rising from
his wet garments, and swallowed his
second glass of Gin.
inquired where the long hollow"
was.
About two miles from the tavern they
said. L was Il long narrow gorge in the
mountains through which ran a small
stream, and was infested by certain
female panther Of fabulous size, that was
known to have made her abode there for
at least ten years past, and managed
always to escape from those who went in
pursuit OF her. She brought forth a
hitter OF young every year, which were
easily killed, but for herself, she was 50
cunning and active no man had yet sue
cccded i'll staying her, and she was the
terror ofall the dogs in tie noighborhood.
They all agreed that Pete, the express
man was right, and that the chances
were that some dark night he would
become "cat's meat" before his time.
My Cambridge friend and ii may rs
we'll call him Jones for want of better
name whereby to distinguish him
retired to rest full Of ihn ranthnr' |
presume we dreamed Of it through the
night, We woke early and found clear
and pleasant sun shining over the strips
OF mcadow-land that formed the narrow
valley, and, looking out thcrcat, Jones
spake:
81 say, aceW Kill tint panfheyr,
owe will or perish in the attcmpt %
Jones fcrycntIy erasped INV hand and
| returned the pressure.
luquirine more about the bcast We
learned that it kept itself hidden dnr;ng
the day, froqucntcd the road throur6
the " lone hollow" after nioltrall. and
that from ten O'Clock in thc evening ia
midnight was the best time to oet a chance
lat it.
We procured two guns. Mine was 4
heavy. long barrclIr1 ,iao c,rryinr :.
LARGE ball. While the wc,non nrncurad Inv
Jones was a very ancient muskct. whose
old flint lock had been summarized bv 4
more modern and efficient percussion
arrangement. Full Of ardor. we passed
the day in authorization of our midpioLt
hunt. y
The hands of NV venerable time
pocket picce-inhcritcd from deceased
arandfatber-noiutcd 70 th;rtv Minutes
past nine as we stcpncd from thc clear
moonlight into the pine-sLadowcd portal
OF the +" long hollow"
The thick woods upon either hand
stood darkly on the stccn h;)lsidcs. and