Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1865-08-25

Indeed an
soon the glowing FIRE lighted up the lit
tie cabin. and the two hunters were busy in
the mysteries Of their woodland e,sisiae.
Soon. too. the neal was coueiusled. for hun
Ger waits no, for ceremony. or dainty sauces
TO tempt the appetite.
Nov. Burt. = said Harry. I'VE are 90
ING TO shoot deer tonight. You remember
you promised me YOU voald-
:" Wal. % Ibid. bot thsr's many er prom
ise that's never kept. ard reckon this AZ
vii be one Of them to-nighs.-
live cannot hunt. then. tell ne about
the sghi With the panther. as you promised
me you would thSs morning.
"Anotber promise2 Wal. f's many
years ergo since I first settled on this ar
lake. Ther country var very Wild then.
and ther Injins and beasts plenty. h-ar
erbou' as much as yer scalp -as worth 70
be out arter night. snd--
. Wy heavens What IL that interrupt
ed tbe boy. in a quick. startled voice.
" Ther painter Shut the door quick,
Thank goodness Ne haint eampin' in ,her
open woods
The door Vas closed. and for long time
they listened wiibou, speaking. without
the trees rattled and the wind soughed
through their branches. Ever and anon the
plAintive. almost human cry Of the panther
-As heard That cry. 90 Ike the wailing
Of child that many an ear has been de-
oeived. And 90 it was nth Harry.
- Bot this i not The voice Of a beast.
bat young girl" be whispered. placing
his ear 20 the crack under the door
"You hAint the first one that's bin fooled
bv 4. - vas the answer.
g cannot be deceived. Li.ten?~
3" Thar Ar no use in listening for-for
great heavens : What j. that7''
Tier painters cubs - exclaimed the old
banter. starting back in assonishment As
four hery eye-balls flashed upon him. The
beast has made er den Of ny shAnty since I
var here before. and Der cries have awaken
ed her cubs. Look 20 your rife. ny boy. -
=" What are -e 20 do. BurtY"
DOnt know What is best" -eplied
Hammond. but more as # talk ing 20 himself
than 20 another. 1--WE can't run. and ue
have got TO hgbt- Ef Ne could only get
ther irnps out Of doors. then--
There's something scratching on the
roof. Burt'- exclaimed Harry.
" rher she painter. tryin' to get in"
=" And there Is a hole there
Keep behind me. boy. and God have
mercy on U.s.
The hunter raised bis rife. and fred Al
huge bead that vas Peerins through the op-
ening above.
The uncertain ligb; Of the hre. the sudden
movement Of the beast. or "a might have
been the anxiety Of the moment. disconcer,-
cd has AIN. for the bulle, failed 90 reach
the living mark. and buried itself in the
huge rafters.
" Am sure. and hrc. boy commanded
tie old hunter a. be fastened % reload.
Without single word Of questioning.
Harry comP!ied. and the loud report of bis
gun vas answered BY deep and angry
grow. As veil. however. might b. have
thrown aoorns az tbe infuriaied beast. a. %
have aimed his gun loaded With small shot.
against Ii, and instantly Hammond sau his
mistake.
"Creep TO tber door as .oftly a. yer kin. -
Be- whispered. . and be ready 20 run fer the
canoe
A" And leave you alone '-Never,- ans
vered the brave boy.
Thar's got ter be q hand-ser -bsnd fehi.
ard you'd only b. in the ~sy Besides I
promised ter save yer hse. and -iH. Git
inter the esnoe and push out inter The lake
Bot ] cannot leave you slons in dan
ger
" Dont talk ter ne. but 20.
Althougb still determined rot 10 leave
the Old hunter alone. Harry Curtiss opened
the door and looked oautiously out. Bot
quicker than the opening was the shutting.
snd returning TO The side Of Hammond. the
boy whispered 10 a trembling voice.
" There is another panther watching On
The outsiie
Here. vas the only answer. take
handiol Of these er bullets ard pu, inter yer
gun. Wat until arter I have fred. and
then am ior your lfs
simoitansously. slnost. the report q tie
weapons rang within The little cabin. The
boy bal Cred too qaick. TIE bullet of uhe
oii hunter alone BAD told. and ne savage
beast, sereiy. tbough not nortaliy wound
ed. sprang from tho opening shove g. The
hoor beneath. amid her snsrling. yclping
cubs. One instant only. she paused % see
fLal fLar -. ..l.- Al flan r-nnrI.I l.-