The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1865-09-15
A Western Adventure, :,

Some years ago business called me TO
visit a small settlement in the northern
part of Oregon Territory. The road over
which | travelled was an old Indian war
path that led through deep and lonely
wood, and was very little used by the "pale
face" The day was intensely warm, and
| was obliged to 60 slowly.
1t was probably near four O'clock in the
afternoon, when the sky Suddenly became
overcast with large black clouds, ard the
wind increased 10 almost a hurricane.
The howllng Of the waves, the hoarse, dull
croaking Of the buzzards, as they winged
themselves high above my head, all gave
signs Of an approaching storm.
Knowing full we'll the dangers that a.
tend storm in the wilderness, | urged
my frightened horse to its utmost speed,
in hopes of reaching some habitation be-
fore the storm broke upon me but before
| had proceeded two miles the storm
broke upon me in all its fury. For hours
plunged on, going knew not where,
and the storm seemed TO increase every
moment; added to my dismal condition,
it soon grew dark as midnight but still
on plunged, through brush and rain, al
most wishing tina. death would end my
miseries.
low long continued to groo2 along
I do not know. Suddenly was startled
by one of the shrilIest crires ever heard,
it sounded above the roaring of the temp
est, and was repeated the momen, after.
| Knew then it was the cry Of a fierce and
bloody panther, go dreaded by the hunt
ers OF the West. Ny blood seemed to
freeze in my veins at the thought Of HAYS
irg to contend with this terrible animal,
surrounded by such awful circumstances.
1t seemed as if death stared me in the
face on every hand But could an old
hunter like myself die .hus without u
struggle for life
| have been in many desperate en-
counter, but never WAS SO unnamed AZ
at that moment. But it was only a mo-
Tnent before | recovered from my fright.
| Then, drawing my long bowieknte and
! placing j, between my teeth, and with u
revolver in my belt, my rltle in my hands,
calmly waited his approach.
Nor did wait long, for with loud
scream and bound, lie stood before me;
could see nothing but bis eyes, which
| shone like balls of fire through the dark
ness. With steady nerve | brought my
rifle to bear upon them, and then pressed
The trigger; but no explosion followed
the powder had been dampened by tho
rain.
The moment i, snapped the panther,
with another loud cry. spraug upon me.
With NY left arm | held him with my
rlile, which lie seized in his mouth by the
stock, while with my right | plunged my
knife into his side.
Three times did bury my knife TO the
hi!t in his side, when suddenly he released
bis hold of my rife, and we closed togeth-
er, Then came the struggle for life.
cut, stabbed, while the panther tore off
great flakes of flesh from my arms and
shoulders.
Over and over we rolled, first one on
top, then he other, until We reached a
perpendicular cliff some twenty feet dis
tant, down which we tumblel some twen-
ty-tive feet, In falling, the panther lost
his holG upon me, and we landed some
ten feet apart
lit fair upon my feet, and, as quick a,
thought, drew and cooked my pistol, and,
AS the maddened beast again sprang at me,
thrust the muzzIe Into his mouth and
pulled the trigger. Luckily for me, it ex-
ploded, for had it failed me | would no,
now have been alive to tell this story.
With a howl that | will remember till my
diving day, lie fell dead at my feet.
he'd lost SO much blood that | soon
tainted away, aud when awoke to ccn-
sciousnes8 it was to find myself surround
ed by friends. Some hunters had found
me, and conveyed me to their homes, which
fortunately were at the very settlement |
was endeayorlng TO reach.
was kindly cared for, and in a few
weeks was my former self again.
Years have fled since then, yet / can
remember, as though it were but yester-
day, my terrible combat with the Amen.
can panther in the wiIderHos of Oregon.