The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-05
A Panther story.

ed the topic. The guide described the
cry Of the panther as a sound that could
shake the stoutest heart; sometimes the
piercing, rcnding yell of baffled rage, at
others prolonged, deceitful wall, as Of
woman lost in the woods. An adventure
Of Cheney, the fearless Nimrod of Adiron-
dack, with one Of these insidions, fearless
denizens Of the forest, as related tn the
party by Tony, is worth repeating. Many
Of the secluded lakes in this region are
frequented by the otter. 1t IS, betirnes,
. frolicsome creature, and has n curious
practice of >" Skiing" 1t chooses deep
declivity ending in the water or upon the
ice, and there they are wont to enjoy the
diverting "slides" for hours together.
Early one winter morning, Cheney Wis
tied the " Slide;" but 10 stcalthy hun
- ter Of the otter had anticipated him, for
there, in the snow, was the broad track Of
the panther. The lesser game was in
stantly forgotten in the tingling excite
ment Of dangerous chase. At once he
hurried back for his stout old bound re-
turned, and before noon was alone upon
the track. The boldest hunter will own
that these is more peril than pastime in
this chase, for the alert foe is certain to
-%cEy soon scent the pursuit, when it has Il
habit Of taking to the trees, casting its
trail; and waiting for its pursuer at advan-
tage. The panther's spring has become
proverb Of quickness, and against its agile
and wonderful strength, at close quarters,
weapon is of little avail. But this once
its craft was opposed to sagacity never
hoodwinked, vigilance never surprised.
The hound was trained in many chase,
and as well aware as his master, Of the
character Of the foe before them. Cheney
held his truSty coadiutOr in check, keep
ing him steadily only q few rods in all
vance, never allowing him out Of sight,
and at moderate pace pushed on. Two
or three hours Of tardy, patient tracking
wore on; not bush, tree, or rock escaped
the hunters jealous scrutiny. Yet he re-
lied mainly upon the acute instinct Of the
dog to apprisc him Of the proximity of the
panther; and the noble hound this day
proved for the thousandth time, that his
masters trust was well placed; for be-
hold the noble animal began to test the
laden air by prolonged shifts, to hesitate
with fore-foot lifted, to look backward,
and bespeak his masters attention with
low winnings. These actions signaed the
vicinity Of the panther. Seeming its pur-
suers, the crafty animal had, as. it's habit
is, stopped and taken cover. Now all the
hunters nerve and circvmSpection was
put to the keenest tension; a rod further,
and he might be under the eye of the hid
den panther, and instantly be faced by its
overwhelming spring. Besides, the hun
ter being in motion, and the foe in cover,
the latter possessed q dangerous adyan-
tage in point Of discovery. The aching
suspense of such moment must have
been almost intolerable. At this moment
a timid hunter would have given his car
to the suggestions Of prudence, or Of that
fear which sometimes bears such name,
and quietly "backed out" AS for Che.
ney, this narrowing suspense only strung
to sharper tension nerves Of tried steel.
Always keeping in tree, he crcpt on a
few rods further.
BY this time the hound, with back brst-
lipg. and uttering few moans, came back
to his masters feet; no urging could force
him to move on single foot without his
master. Cheney was sure that at tina. in.
slant he. could not be dozen rods from
the panther; indeed, he was certain that
the crowded jam Of henlock before him
was the cover The hunter felt at that
instant that the fsrocious beast was only
waiting to catch him clear from the shelter
Of the protecting trees to make spring.
The hunter felt himself sheltered behind
his stronghold-an enormous hemOck,
and cOolly made ready for the final scene
Of the lonely but terribly exciting DRAMA
He planted his Ratchet in the snow, fresh
ly capped his weapon, and got second
charge Of powder aud lead ready to hand
Now, oil ready, keeping his body shelter
ed, he begins to search inch by inch, and
foot by foot, the dense mass Of hemlock
beyond. He knows his feline fellow actor
Is there. Yet SO perfectly was the panther
hidden, that for tOrturing half hour the
hunter strained bis eyes in vain. Sud-
denly quick whine from the hound hug
ging his feet, startles him; following the
dogs riveted gaze moment, 10 the dim
outline Of the savage by slow, blood-chil-
ling degrees grows upon the hunters
view, developing, as it were. into shape
from the dense mass of helnIock spray
The panther was hugging close to giant
limb in the fork OF tree, scarcsly n hun.
dred feet distant Awas motionless, save
It's yellow eyes, which now began to Scn-
tillate like sparks of fire. It was not
moment for hesitation. The hunter took
q single stride from his shelter, caught
sight, and with the quickness Of thought
fred. The ball meant for the creatures
head only broke his shoulder. The smoke
Of the discharge had not yet risen the
pAntheF'S crudling scream Of pain had
scarcely riven the forest stiffness before
Cheney was sheltered and ready to try
again.
Until the panther can get an unobstruct.
cd sight, It will hardly ever spring. But
the wounded animal was emitting piercing
cries, and lis powerful tail was rapidly
lashing its tanks Again the hunter step
ped out; il was but moments glance,
yet he saw the flaming eyes, the stretched
and foam-drikning jaws, the ivory white
clawe that Fsseted themselves into the |
ahsat branch upon which the panther vet
lav. The riiie-bal was quicker than the
penthsrs spring. fOr just as It sailed back
up0n It. launches for the bound, the mis-.
si|e. this time true, smots Il fairly between |
tkeeyea The shot was instantly fatal; It's |
aIsel. sprung limbs relaxing, and the keen
dlSws Ioosenink their grip In the wood
whsSe ehsy ha4 been half buried, the PAN
tn 81 cfaahlag through the branches at
the hnntsfS teek d1nd.
AiAsr sToAsy.5 tlle,s Il was not
fk6ssAs % GaII compla6sntly asleep upon,
$40 e 8ofe IL Wight ia the once favO-
H. fsat u AAlmal. However. the
81 ~ hr1 alth wood, and . rudy
- = snlve the incubus Of fear
EfSpE upon the, listeners during |
s's story. i