Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-01-05

little prairie plot, a tree-probably o
scrub oak. This offered me a good re-
treat if could mount it, since it pre-
vented the attacking beasts hiding away
under cever; Or should panther come,
it offered no surrounding tree from which
to leap upon my perch. To this solitary
tree | directed my steps with eager haste,
but had not taken twenty steps before The
warning signal of a rattle-snake was
given. This did not heed, only turn
ing aside to avoid the monster, which
knew must be half torpid with the sea-
sons chill. Through brier and tsngle l
finally forced my way, and reached the
tree. 1t was an. oak, as l had surmised,
with a heavy growth of limbs above, but
quite destitute of branches for q distance
of twelve or fifteen feet from the ground.
Loosening my belt, l thrust my rifle
underneath it along my back, and by dint
of skillful climbing succeeded in reach
ing the branches, among which | was
soon ensconced in position of no little
comfort.
Ny strength now gave quite away, and
l fell back in my seat so thoroughly ex-
hausted that o child's hand could have
pushed me from the limb. Sleep would
have come without wooing, but, with the
air fairly resonant with those night calls
to death, l was otlikely to slumber.
Would the wolves spy me out? Their
cries still were distant, but plainly audi
BILE. l 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 come? A half hours rest would
give me new strength; and with knife and
rife did not despair of maintaining my
hold upon the mid-air fortress until day
should give me relief.
What was that A break in the clouds
above, and star burst 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 esst-the half grown moon
as if purposely to keep me company
through the night am overjoyed and
smile in my contentment.
Upon the ground few rods away !
marked dark mass. Was it clump of
bushes or vines l could not tell Soon
the moon would rise higher, and then |
should see all the ground around. With
a hunters instinct drew my rife to my
face and waited. 1t was but moment,
when l distinctly beheld the glitter of two
fiery balls, which could be none other
than a psnther's eyes. Without hesitation
l fired. A loud, prolonged howl cf pain
followed, so fierce and maddened that |
knew the beast was mortally wounded.
Twisting, rolling, crawling, the creature
made its way to the tree body, and ere l
had time to recover from my curiosity
and surprise it had actually climbed the
oak Very slowly it came, for the blood
evidently blinded its eyes and choked it's
throat. / had aimed at the eyes, and
doubtless had struck it full in the face,
tearing away a portion of the scalp, the
ball burying itself in the shoulder or
bosom. This I surmised from the char
acter of the animals movements.
Up the tree it came, slowly but firmly,
growing fercely with each pang. l
could see all fully, and prepared to use
my knife-my rife having been secured
| in the limbs overhead. In few minutes
the lower limbs we're reached, and over
one of them the panther twined its body.
Then discovered that it was truly
monarch of the forest with which had to
deal-a creature full seven feet long IRON
muzzle to tail-tip. Fear was as far from
me at the moment as if fawn was slung
over the tree.forks. was ready for the
encounter.
1t came without delay. Crawling out
to its full length on the lower limb, the
beast suddenly raised itself erect and
threw its body forward and upward with
all its remaining Strengths jaws dis
tended and its paws striking vengefully
at my projecting knees as | sat had
preferred to remain in that position to
clasp the tree-stem with one hand, and
to throw the full weight of my balanced
frame into the stroke which j should
deal. The dash at me was the signal for
that stroke, and my keen blade sweep
ing, by side thrust, struck the animal
in the ribs at the very moment it's paws
touched my clothing
Such a half howl, half shrek, as rent
the air was truly appalhsg. 1t was the
cry of bsnsd rage and mortal agony,
aud the gigantic cat fell to the earth with
heavy thud-dead.
l at once regained my riae; for now
that the scent Of blood was on the cir, |
we'll knew that the wolves would soon be
/ there. Il seemed as if the famished herd
whose cry had heard not only smelled
the blood, but few to the spot, for il was
apparently not three minutes ere at least
score Of the snarling, yelping brutes
we're circling around the oak. sat
still, content to let the ravenous things
/ fill their stomschs with the dead panther
After circuit or two around the tree the
whole pack dashed forward to the feast,
and instantly became one howling mass,
tearing away at the carcass with vora-
city which, in less than a minute, left not
q morsel undevoured. Igszsd down less
in curiosity and disnay than in disgust,
and without reflection discharged my
riff he in their midst.
1t was foolish act, knew as soon as
/ it was done, for up 10 thst moment my
presence appeared not to have bsen'
known. The shot pierced the body Of
one great gsuut dsE. who bounded off
I for the forest, pursued by every one OF
his felloEs, In little while the horrid
carnival Vas at its hight, aud almost