The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-12-29
WV EAST PANTHER FIGHT.

MY last PANTHER FIGHT.
] was lost. The forest closed around me
like cstacomb. Its silences and gloomy
recesses filled my heart with dread which
was not fear, for fear never knew; it wa'
the haunting, nameless terror which a
times impresses even the stoutest Of hearts
Sometimes the feeling comes at night when
sleep refuses to visit the eyelids, and the
very darkness becomes palpable and real
For while unused over my situation,
prev to the dread which would Cypress me
but after q while I grew se!f-possessed
AGAIN. I shook my body as dog emerging
from the water to cast of the influences
which fe,tered my energies. | strobe for:
ward Observation-Disclosures, l had not the
least conception.
II was we'll on in the day when, parting
with two of my companions, | started fol-
the camp, some three miles away, taking q
course across the hills, which led me from
the river, along whose banks our hunting
and trapping ground had been. Striking a
valley which appeared to lead in the right
direction, I followed it up to an abrupt ter
minetion, then mounted the ridges in front,
and 60 passed on into the heavy forest. In
tais had walked for upwards Of two hours
then, surprised at not coming out at the
camp "opening," began to realize that
must have gone sstray. In vain tried to
distinguish the east from the west; the sun
refused to shine through the overcast Octo-
Der sky, and could not even guess the d.
rection which had pursued. &g
But on and on [ went, led by the hope
that each rift in the woods was the sought
for opening, only to be deceived and to be-
come more deeply bewildered and at
length / paused, -gearied with my exer
..;;1oa5Is. 10 ponder over the situation. 1t was
then, when the rejection from hope to de-
spair came, that was seized with the feel
ing first referred to-of dread bordering on
terror.
That feeling passed away with the vigor-
GUS shake which / gave my person, and
for another two hours, until darkness
closed in around me, ! struggled forward to
reach the river bank. Having mounted
high hill, discovered line of lofty ridges
which l conceived must mark the water
course. Once on its banks, was sure Of
my way, and to reach it ] bent all my
slowly expiring strength. Long ere at
tanned the foot of the hills it was night
dark, gusty night.
How drearily sounded the wind signing
through the branches and the half-crisped
yerdure overhead! 1t seemed to me sent
as 8 dismal messenger to stand over my
couch all night to warn me of the presence
of night and darkness.
Ny couch where was it to be? Not on
the ground, almost utterly destitute OF
grass, and damp with the penetrating mois-
ture of the woods. To my weary frame
rest was necessary, but to sleep there was
only to incur the double hazard of sickness
and danger from the night-prowling wolf
and panther.
Eark away of upon the hillside o cry
What is it Something human, yet inhu-
man. All knew it only too well the
voracious and hungry catamount-the
American panther. An answering cry from
the foot of the hills now came upon the
air-the cry Of the equally voracious and
fierce wolf.
My safety lay in concealment; but how
was that possible? The lood-loving beasts
would ferret out my hiding-place. let it be
even in the tree-tops, if once they got to
the windward of me. To the windward
They were to the windward And the now
increasing number of bowls advised me to
seek "cover," for relentless enemy was
on my track.
had reached one of the occasional open
ipgs in the forest where the green grass
and wild flowers are permitted to grow, an0
the sweet light Of heaven is felt by day.
In the lessened darkness of this spot | was
lust able to discern, out in the little prairie
plot, tree-probably scrub oak. This
offered me good retreat if could mount
il, since it prevented the attacking beasts
from hiding away under cover or should
panther come, it offered no surrounding
tree from which to leap upon my perch.
To this solitary tree l directed my steps
with eager haste, but had not taken twenty
steps before the warning signal Of rattle
snake was given. This did not heed,
only turning aside to avoid the monster,
which knew must be half torpid with the
seasons chill. Through brier and tangle ]
finally forced my way, and reached the
tree. 1t was an oak, as | had surmlsed.
with q heavy growth of limbs above, but
quite destitute of branches for distance OF
twelve or fifteen feet from the ground.
Loosening my belt, thrust my rifle I'M
derneath it along my back, and by dint OF
skilful climbing succeeded III reaching the
branches, among which was soon en-
sconced in q position of no little comfort.
My strength now gave quite away, and
fell back in my seat SO thoroughly exhaust
ed that child's hand could have pushed
me from the limb. Sleep would have come
without wooing, but, with the air fairly re
sonant with those night calls to death, l
was not likely to slumber.
Would the wolves spy me out Their
cries still were distant but plainly audible.
tried to count their number, but it was
impossible, for howl mingled with howl in
dismal discord that sent chill to my
very marrow. How long ere they would
Gomez a half-hour's rest would give me
new strength; and with knife and rife
did not despair of maintaining my hold
upon the nid-air fortress until day should
give me relief.
What was that? A break in the clouds
above, and star bursts through A star
Beacon Of hope, truly Now another and
another. Will the October wind that sighed
through the trees so solemnly bear the
clouds away and give me light All, see
there comes the moon sailing up in the east
the half-grown moon-as if purposely tc
keep me company through the night am
oyerjoyed, and smile in my contentment.
Upon the ground q few rods away /
marked dark mass. Was it q clump OF
bushes or vines? could not tell. Soon
the moon would rise higher, and then l
should see ell the ground around. With a
hunters instinct / drew my rife to my face
and waited. 1t was but moment, when
distinctly beheld the glitter Of two fiery
balls, which could be none other than a
panther's eyes. Without hesitation ! fred
a loud, prolonged howl of pain followed,
80 fierce and maddened that knew the
beast Was mortallY wounded. Twisting,