Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1866-05-24
Hunted by Panthers and Wolves.

III was beautiful Afternoon, III the lnlian sum
mer, that season which. particularly in the west
ern portion of our country. is of all others the
most enchanting. All who have stood at this sea-
son of tho year on the praries of the West, with
uncovered brow, will recall the beauty around
them far better than can describe it, Srizing my
rifle, left Uncle Jonathan's log hut and wander
I'd over the prairie toward the forest. Having as
ccndcd sm,ll bluff, could plainly discern the
stately outlines and branching aners of the object
of my pursuit
On pecring carefully over the rocks which crown
ed the bluffs, beheld nv game not much more
I than hundred yards distant, little expecting an
enemy ut least in this direction. Thru.ting the
nuzzlc OF my rifle over the rocks toDk deliberate
aim. and pulled the trigger. but the quick, sharp
crack OF the cap alone followed. This dis.p-
pontment but quickly cringins behind the rocks,
and trembling with eagernes., sought for anoth-
er cap. After consuming twice the time necessa-
ry. and scattering the caps in all dircction' WIS
OF more in n state OF preparation. The deer
was occupying his former position, though with
/ head erect, snufing the breeze and dartng his
| lightning slances in all directions, not KNOWN,
where TO iy to avoid the death which see med i'm
pending.
! Again I pointed my iron and fired. The noble
animal sprang over the rocks. When reached
the spo, his limbs were quivering in the agonies OF
death. In loading AZ lin found had but one
charge in my Il isk 80 with all convenient haste L
|
ed myself with the skin AMI two of his quarters.
which, together with my rife. formed n very re-
spcctabc burden. Striking into faint path,
which. supposed would conduct me by nearer
route through the forest, hurried home with all
the speed my burden would allow. But after con-
suming sufficient time to have brought me 20 the
edge OF the forest. surprised that i, grew less
distinct and conducted me further into the depth
| OF the forest.
However pressed on with alacrity, decming il
sure should soon emerge, and knowing that to
retrace my steps would be conducting M in a
course directly opposite my home. Ii was now
growing quite dark in the wood, by which the indis
tinctncss Of the tfeacherOrs path | had followed
was, OF course, increased. While standing still
with doubt and uncertainty. long drawn howl Of
q wolf came with fearful distinctncs. upon my ear.
These, thsn, were the companions should have
were compelled to remIn in this woody labyrinth
"a prospect though not agree lblc, certainly not
improbable. ! soon found myself near brook.
and Immediately determined to follow it, satisfied
that sooner or later il must conduct me TO tho open
world once more.
! Itwasnow after sunset. and so dark that cod
scarcely pick my fearful and dubious way; and
/ those most melancholy notes behind seemed TO
ca usc me 10 chase down the little brook with all
the demons of the ,ttomless pit crowiihg and yell
| ing behind me. Presently detected a discorjant
note in this internal choir. knew IL 20 be the
met all the wolves in the forest. Soon could de-
tcct the rusting of leaves ani the cracking of dry
branches and presently the assured bound OF the
panther struck plainly upon my ear and To my heart
| w hen il seemed 10 my frightened fancy that
uld almost feel the monsters hot breath, and see
through the darkness, his eyebas glarins upon
me. procured temporary repricvc by dropping
one quarter OF nv yenson, which ! had intended
for far different purpose.
increased ferocity after his repas. quickencd
my pace, ii that possible, straining every
| nerve, but in vain could soon distinguish his
lengthencd bounds, each one coming nearer aud
nearer. When he Approached so near that con
sidercd him too familiar. again baitcd him with
the vcnison. This did till my load gone,
and instead of being satisfied, the fierce anim,l
! seemed to have greater appetite for richer re-
-. As INV last and only hope, SnrinS iato a
tree, which was oil mddlinS size, without any
branches for some thirty or forty feet from the
ground. No sooner was | seated upon the lowest
limb, ready with my gun, than heard my late ac-
quaintancc bounding forward again, and soon, by
the dim light. diScernel his form alternately as
ccnding and descending, lelpins into the air full
twenty feet forward at time.
Ii did not puzz'e him in the least 10 discover
that the trail had come to very sudden conclusion.
for After running several times around the tee, he
finally settled himself down beneath it. and raised
such u Tremendous yclp that in spite of all ny
attempts toward self-control, c0lld not but run
like molten il ON through my blood. Much to nv
astonishmcnt the wolves seemed content to occupy
the back gronnd. This soon explained by the
appearance Of another panther. On this new arri-
VAL the two seemed to he holding an internal
council Soon one of them started and ran of
while the other orouched beneath the tree. | was
at loss to account for what this movement might
import But WAS not long tn be left in doubt
|, was extremely difficult for me 10 resist the
temptation of firing at the rem ,niny one; but
resoved to preserve nv last ch ,rse in case of
greater emergency. Soon heard n slight crackle
of dry branch in another tree distant two or three
rods from the one occupied. darted my eyes
in that direction. and there. crnuched on q limb
several feet h;She than myself, the old psn-
ther in the very act. of sprinsing upon me.
Quick as thought drew up my rifle aud fired.
Tne sudden glare shot up into the darkness of the
dim night, and lii up the woods for m ,mcnt like
a h,sh oflightning. As the panther the moment
[ irel WAS in the act Of sprinsin.. the impetus
sen; him forward and downward, so thu he struck
his claw upon the limb on which rested. For
moment he struggled ID retain his grasp, and
then fell dying To the ground.
| The other panther set up dismsl howl, AMI
then started of in a similar manner with the first
and. doubted not with a similar intsntion. As
soon as he ont of sight slipped down from
the tree, threw away nv gun and started with all
by the howling that the wolves were again in
fresh pursuit. | now ran for nearly half milo.
keeping in advance Of the wolves, when again
! heard the measured bounds OF the panther. Nv
heart sank within me-. when | thought | saw n
gl mpse Of the sky through the trees before me- |
strsned every nerve prayng that this might be
the case. The panther seemed to he aware OF the
necessity OF putting forth last effort and gained
OH me faster than before. At last | reached some
thick frs. AMI one qnick bound from them brought
me out into open moonlight.
There, before my yes. was house, not more
than fifty rods from the place where 1 was.
knew the place st glance. IL was mill-hoGse
situated ON the brook which | had followed. about
ten miles from nv unclc's house, whence started.
The panther followed ne about half way to the
house toward which struck with all speed.
A burst open the door. AMI found that WAS
quickly transported from the most imminent
danger to place of security. the rerulson Of my
feelings was so powerful that | fell headIong to
the floor in n However, was among my
friends, and lacked no needful attention and tho
was ready 30 hunt the next div. took the pre-
CAUTION to that the powder fl tsk well filed.
shall never while IN 'mpry lasts forget that night
Of peril. nor the panthcr's leap.
..ALL RIGHT AGAIN."-DE SAUrr.
De Sauiy is still call right" lie il the most
miraculous "toiler OF the sea. De Sauty will
say die. He Is already preparing for his
next attempt. My his line lie in peasanter
places!