The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1867-06-12

Some years ago, | had occasion to
journey through the wilds of tho West,
and among the many mishaps and ad
ventures met with there is one which
remember quite distinctly.
| had been travelling through sec.
ton of country remarkably uncultivated.
With a jnded horse atmy heels, at the
close of stormy day in spring, I was
endeavorng to hunt up some kind Of ac.
commodatiohs for the night 1 had not
met WITH any sort Of game during the
day excepting few wild geese, and
those | did not caro- to waste shot upon.
The idea Of sleeping uPon tho wat
ground with an empty stomach, was not
very agreeable, and l thought the sooner
! had some kind Of shelter arranged the
better. L0f. , IA IN.t
Twas about crossing small stream
when a cry asif from some human being
in distress arrested my movements, and
caused me to glance sharply about me.
What sight met my gaze. A man,
holding above his head an unlolded rife
stood awaiting the attack Of huge
mountain panther. I comprehended all
in moment, but before I could render
him the least assistance the animal was
upon him. He drew back pace, whirl
ed his rife above his head, and with q
tremendous crash bFou gbt 1t down upon
his adversary's back This emily infu
rated tho panther, and with savage
growl he rushed upon bis victim.
There was not moment to be lost
Aiming well between his eyes I fired
and as the smoke cleared away before MI
| could see the long budy Of the pan
ther stretched lifeless upon the ground
and the man leaning against the trunk o
q tree, apparently unhurt. AS | ap
preached him he extended his hand, and
in gruff voice, said;
"You have saved nay life, stranger"
His appearance was not in the leas
prepossessirg, his whole aspect was loath
some, and l regarded him with a feeling
of dread. l had saved his life, however
and perhaps I might gain from him som
information respecting a place Of shelter
"My friend, DO you live in this neigh
borhood p | inquired, .fiE
He replied that he did. 2 e
"Tken, perhaps, yeu can direct me i
some place whers tcan obtain sheller 70
myself and beast"
"Thercis is not cabin within ten mile
Of here" he replied.
"Not cabin within ten milesf WHY
you just said you lived near here I"
$50 l do," he replied evasively.
"But it's nothing but mere cave"
"I don't care for that" I said. "An
place is better Than spending a night i
the storm"
"No, ro," he returned, taking up h
rife. "You had better stay i'm the storl
to night that 60 with me-"
And turning upon his heels disappea
ed in the woods.
This was gratitude. Ialmost ceusure
myself for saving his life, and so, with
heavy heart, I mounted my weary bea
and rode on.
The night was so dark that 1 coul
hardly discern objects three feet befo
me. Large drops Of rain were begi
ming to descend from above, striking vii
a dull patter upon the dry leaves heap'
about the road.
: | rode thus for fully ten minutes WHIT
q light reese milling some twinkling sta
: told me that shelter was at hand. New
did q ship.wrecked mariner hail d
tant sail with more rapture than I d
t that dim, Pickering light, (
"Picss on, old fellow" said, patti
: my horse upon the neck eve will So
; be at rest" SIT
He seemed 10 comprehend my mel
ing, for CT ho started, shaking his ma
{ and neigbing Justify, -f & \
1t was not long before r drew up
the door of miserable looking sham
and dismopnting / gave three or fc
n loud raps.
n 1t was opened hy woman whose I
a a pearauce did not favorAbly impress mo.
y ~ seek shelter from the Storm" ! 81
to her. "Can you lodge me aud my be-
m m till morning"
N She scanned me from top TO toe, q