The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-10-22
a PEREE0Us saTUATEON.
BY II. SILiNGSBY.

Our conversation had been drifting
from one topic to another, and finally
settled upon the pcculiarities and habits of
the American panther. Among the COM
pany present was one Mrs, Hanscour,
from Western Missouri, who related in "a
most graphic and forcible style the follow
ing thrilling incident:
Eighteen years ago, my husband emf
grated TO the western part of Missouri,
which was at that time little better than a
wilderness. We accepted, like many
others, the prior lease of 'sluatter sover~
eighty, and while our cabin was in pro-
cess Of erection, we occupied, as teno-
ment, the covered wagon in which We
had transported our goods and chatteis
from the Mississippi side
''Our family at this time consisted of
four Persons-my husband, broiher-in-
law, and self-not emitting the baby,
which was then but nine months old
Timber was scarce-that is, suitable
timber for building, and, before the cabin
could be completed, they were obliged 20
cut and haul logs considerable distance.
at was in the latter part of July, or
beginning of August, and wherever there
was swell or elevation (such localities
always being more or less rocky in that
part Of Missouri), they were sure to be
covered with an abundant supply of
whortleberries. l was very fond OF the
berries, and one afternoon, after getting
baby asleep, and securely sheltering him
in the wagon, l started for hill about
three quarters OF mile off, and almost in
a line where The men were chopping. 1t
wanted about an hour of sunset, and it
was my calculation, after filling my dish
with berries, to meet my husband on his
return.
Son reaching the hill, which was
rocky, and in some places covered with
scattering trees, found the berries very
large and nice and, after filling the dish,
and still hearing the echoing strokes Of
the axes in the distance, l began leisurely
10 pick snd eat as l moved in the direc-
ton OF the sounds.
GA little farther up the bill was a
cluster Of white beeches, overshadowing a
projecting boulder. Around It's base the
bushes were very thick and luxuriant, and
nice and large in consequence, kept on
ascending ill | reached the spot. The
fruit. as had anticipated, was ripe and
tempting, and l kept on picking and eat
ing with renewed relish. Suddenly my
ears were attracted by peculiar purring
sound, which seemed to proceed from the
branches OF the tree overhead. ] glanced
Up quickly, and the sight l saw caused the
very blood to curdie in my veins Stretch
ed upon one of the lower limbs, about
twenty feet above NY head. and in the
very act, as it seemed, Of springing upon
me, was large, fierce, tawny-looking
animal, with cat>like head, and eyes Of
a fiery, biood-like hue.
Il had never seen anything like ii
before my heart gave d great bound of
terror and | was nearly fainting. | was
within a few feet of the projecting boulder,
and almost directly under the limb uuon
which the animal crouched 1t was per-
haps fortunate for me that I retained nv
presence of mind. | comprehended in a
moment the full extent of my peril
knew that the creature was only awaiting
a favorable moment to make the fatal
spring.
sit was wonderful how l retained my
presence Of mind as | did | have no
doubt that terror will sometimes help oue
as much as the wisest forecast, 1t was
unquestionably fear, only, which prompted
rne to keep my eyes upon the fierce brute,
as l kept nearer and nearer the projecting
b u'der. | noticed its every movement,
Io CF
ing, the long, sharp claws, protruding,
and the heavy tail lasIing impatiently
from side TO side. Still, with kind of
fascination in my gaze, | kept my eyes
constantly fixed upon the animal, till
reached the shelter of the overhangiug
rock
'The moment felt myself safe beneath
it, i set up a series of the most prolonged
and terrific screams that ever proceeded
from the throat Of puny woman. Il
was undoubtedly that which saved me
from the immediate attack of the panther
He was probably astonished at the turn
affairs had taken, and was altogether un-
certain how TO proceed about dispatching
me. Ny husband and broiher-iu-law.
who were not more than half mile off,
heard my first shrek of alarm, and drop
ping their axes on the spot where they
were at work, and seizipg their trusty
rifles, they hurried in the direction from
whence the frightened screams were still
proceeding. They could not have been
more than three or four minutes in ar
irving upon the ground but to me, in
the terrible and overwhelming excitement
of the situation, it seemed an age. The
moment beheld the form of my husband
appearing around the brow of the hill
where he could see me, l shouted to him
loudly to be cautious how he approached,
for there was some dreadful animal crouch
ing in the branches of the tree overhead.
My bruther-in-law was only few PAGES
behind, and they encouraged me with as
surances of safety, as they crept stealtbily
toward the spot, peering sharply into the
thickly interlacing branches, where the
| fierce brute still lay concealed.