The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-04-11

and during the long watches Of the winters
night, listened to the howl Of wolf. the crash
! ing tread of the black bear, and the scream
Of the panther. But this is not my story.
The logging bee" over. plain bu. sub.
stantial supper was served, ot which yenison
and rye biscuits formed the staple. and which
in the eating detained the company until alter
dark. Then followed the "parting drink =.
the " good night" and homeward journey
through the woods. Uncle Joe and | were
the last to leave. for be neser was in hurry
when good cheer was to be had. and it was
quite nine o'clock before we set out for home.
And when we did finally start, Uncle Joe.
after a rod or two of earnest endeayor, found
himself so weak in his walking sticks. that
he was obliged to mount behind me and
thus carrying "double," our good nurse was
left to his own guidance through the dark
path Of the forest. The old hunter grew
more and more top-heavy as we proceeded
al slow pace over the tortuous and uneven
road, and but for incessant eifous on my
part. aided by his long legs, we would have
been unhorsed at almost every step.
| We had accomplished about halt our jour.
ney, and were riding in silence unbroken
save by the tread OF animal which we be-
strode. when the cry Of panther came
sounding down to US on the night breeze
from far up the side OF the mountain. This
was 80 common that it scarcely aroused my
companion, and the distance at which il
was uttered prevented apprehension on my
part. Not more than minute elapsed be-
lore that shrill. mourniul wall again broke
out upon the ear, and from point tAat ind-
Gated with an appalling certainty that the ami
NAL was descending upon our path.
"a panther said Uncle Joe, between a
grunt aud drawl +" and the crllter seems to
be coming this way"
"Yes. replied, aud should Judge from
his cry that hunger was driving him to seek
a supper.
Scarcely had | uttered these words and
gathered up the reins for tie control Of my
thoroughly frightened horse, than that terri
Bile cry was repeated ia closer proximity,
and the panther was heard approaching Us
10 long aud CRASHING leaps down the noun
tain's side.
Uncle Joe by this time vas completely a.
reused from his stupnr--he sat more erect
aud firmly. and the rifle was brought down
irom his shoulder and grasped tightly in his
right hand.
We are in for it. my boy" said he in
low, hnshed tone; its run Or fight. and fight
| guess any way. well try the first, and if
50 be that We can keep out Of the claws Of
the critter till till the moon gifts up over the
tops of the trees, perhaps we shall be all safe
il we come to the last"
Run j: was for the next ten or fifteen min
utes, with such speed as we could command
over rough road, when, with a scream and
bound the blood thirsty pursuer sprang
from ledge Of rocks into the clear path,
short distance 10 our rear.
Hold up," said uncle Joe [" we've dune
up our running. and now the matter must be
settled after another fashion. There, III get
Uff aud try titles with the crilter, and zee
whether he shall have my carcass. or
his'n.,
At this time food Of soft, silyery moon
light poured through the rleft in the forest
upon our road, when looking back from the
place OF our halt. the panthrr. an enormous
animal. with blazing eye-balls. was dimly re.
yealed 10 half crouehing position, not more
than len or fifteen rods away.
My legs are a little Onstcady," said Tn.
Gle Joe. "and my arms are shaky, like-so
LII just lay down here 10 the road, anl try
4 pull at the bloody ,armint. When the RI.
&c cracks DO YOU run your horse dawn TO
the big pine BY the spring, aud there hold up
aud listen. II you don't hear my call when
you get there, then ride home as fast as YOU
can, Tor uncle Joe will be in kingdom come.
This was said deliberately. and without
the slightest tremor Of voice. cannot say
that was as self.possessed, bred though |
was amidst the dangers ol the wilderness. /
The brave old man turned and took lew
steps towards his enemy, which seemed 10
be feeling sure ot supper, then stretched
himself out at the bottom of slight knoll.
across which be poised bis rife. turned
Iny face Lsw 10 the direction ia which was
TO ride--a moment of terrible aud agnniLine
suspense ensued, moment only, Tor | had
no mare than settled myself on the beast
than the signal came, and obeyed inslruc.
tions. The goal was reached at a racing gal.
lop. aud there drew up my panting steed.
aud turned TO listen. Even then the hallou
II Uncle Joe came ringing cheerily through +
the arches 0f the forest 10 my ear. turned /
and rode back with buunding heart, and 1
there was the old hunter leaning on his ride, /
By the side of the dead panther. ! held out
ny hand. which he grasped. and with chok
ing utteranee made out 10 say Uncle Joe =
I" All. NV dear boy." said he. q that was shot
worth telling on--lo,k there !" and he lifted
up the head nf the animal aud pointed TO .
bullet.hole Immediately between the eyes.
We loaded the panther upon the back Of
our horse. aad walking on either side. reach.
ed home about the midnight hour. The fam
iIy had not vet retired. md we're in high /
state or excitement aud alarm respecting us.
nv the blazing hearth. while cheeks blanch. !
ed anL eyes filled with tears. We toll, the stO.
" Of our peril, and Of TnE DEAD Snor ~
MOosLIenr.
--@~s~s-sss~.-s~,~s~,.
THE FORGED WILL.