The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1870-12-15
The I'ausher-S Last Leap.

The I'ausher's Last Leap.
Ii MAS a beautiful afternoon in the India
summer, that season which, particularly i
the Western portion of our country, is of a
others the most enchanting; the bright beam
of the sun were t,lnpted by the cool and re
freshing breeze that ruStlei with soft mus
the parti-colored leaves Of the trees. Al
who have stood at this season of the wear o.
the prairies of the Wcsi, with uncovere
brow, will recall the beauty spread far aroun
them far better than can describe it.
Selling my rifle, left my uncle Jonathan
log hut, and wandered leiSurely over til
prairie in the direction Of the wood. Hav
ing passed through 4 corner of the forest,
found myself near small bluff, upon III
top of which | could plainly discern III
stately outlines and branching antlers of
buck painted in dark lines against the hori
ION. Entering the skirts of the forest ono
more, crept warily around the hill, i
order to approach within mailing distance {
the object of my pursuit. STOPPING low,
hurried behind the rugged line OF rocks :
| the base of the hill, until reached a plac
from which supposed should command
|
was | mistaken; for, on peeping CAREFUL
over the edge Of the rock, beteld my gam
in fair view abou, a hundred yards dis,an,
little suspecting an enemy-at least in tina
direction. Thrusting the muzz!e of nv riff
over the rock, took deliberate aim a, hi
side and pulled the trigger, The quick
sharp snap OF the cap alone followed. Thi
was a disappointment; but quick as poSsibl
cringed behind the rock, and trembiin
with eagerness, sought for another cap. Ate
consuming twice the time necessary, an
scattering the caps in all directions upon III
ground, was at length once more in
state of preparation. Ny heart beat as
saw the majestic animal sill occupying hi
former position, though with the head erect
snufling the breeze, and darting his lightning
glances IN every quarter, unknowing il
what direction 10 flee to avoid the death
Again l>polnted my rifle and fired. Th
noble buck sprang into the air, AMI spran;
over the rock. When | reached the spot
his limbs were already quivering. In load
ing again found had but one charge il
my flask; 50, with all convenient haste, a
it was now nearly sunset, l drew my lon,
knife, which formed an indispensable item
in my hunting announcements, and hayin,
dissected the animal which | had slain,
proceeded homeward, loaded with the skin
and two quarters, which was all could con
veniently carry, and which, with my piece
formed a very respectable burden. Strikin;
into path which | supposed would cCnduc
me by nearer route through the forest,
hurried on with all speed my burden woult
allow. Bnt after consuming sufficient tim.
to have brought me out, ! was somewhat
surprised at discovering that instead of draw
ing near the opening, my path seemed to be
come less distinct Is advanced, and to con
duct me further into the forest However
1pressed on with alacrity, deeming it sur,
that | woul soon emerge, and knowing thai
To retraee my steps would only be conduct.
ing me in a course directly opposite to my
home.
Ii was now growing quite dark in the
wood, by (which the indis,inctness of the
treacherous path | had followed, was o
course, increased. While standing still
with doubt, the long, drawn howl of a vol
came with fearful distinctness on my ear. 81
suddenly it came, it pierced like knell
''the fearful hollow of my ear" announc.
ing in a tone not 10 he misunderstood, the
kind Of companions would be likely to
have. should ! be compelled to Yass the nigh,
in the woody labyrinth prospect, which,
thong ii by no means agreeable, seemed We,
not improbable. Nevertheless, | resolved
TO proceed, and either To come safely out, or
brave whatever dangers l might encounter
with a manly heart. Wandering on as well
rs might in my former direction, | soon
found myself near brook which murmure,l
on through shady dell, and Immediately
determined to follow it, satisfied that il
must, sooner or later, conduct NE into the
open world once more Ii was now after
sunset, and 50 dark that | could scarcely
see to pick my dubious and fearful way. /
would have lightened myself of nv burden,
but the increased bowling of the wolves,
which seemed To he gathering in body be-
hind me, warned me tina, it might soon be-
come my only protection. You may he sure
that thee not musical bu; most melancholy
notes rendered not to diminish my speed or
trepidation, and ! seemed to be chasing
down the little brook, with all the demons
of the pit crowding and yelling behind me-
Presently could detect discordant note
among the voices of this internal choir,
which knew at once to be the cry of the
panther, than which | would rather have
met in assembly all the wolves Of the forest.
Notwithstanding the increased speed caused
by the last unpleasant discovery, it availed
me so little that could soon distinguish the
rustling of leaves and cracking Of dry
and presently after the measured
bounds Of the panther struck plain upon my
ear and 10 NV heart. When it seemed to NV
frightened fancy that could almosrfeel the
hot breath upon me, and see in
the dark the glare Of his eyeballs procured
a temporary reprieve by dropping one quarter
Of NV fine buck, which had intended for a
far different purpose. However, | well
knew that he would delay only to return with
ferocity after his repast. l quick
ened my pace, if that were possible, straining
every nerve with the faint hope Of gaining
The edge of the wood before / was again
placed in such dangerous vicinity to nv
pursuer, but in vain; l could soon distin-
yuish again his heightened bounds, each one
bringing him nearer and nearer.
When he approached 30 near that con-
sidered him too familiar, again baited him
with nv venison. This did until nv load
was gone: and instead of being satisfied, the
fierce animal seemed but to have sharpened
his appetite for richer repast. When /
had dropped the last remaining fragment,
my means of defence or escape seemed TO
have been exhausted. However, l resolved
10 climb with all haste into the first tree that
would admit of it. and defend myself as we'll
rs could with the sole charge in my rifle.
By good fortune | Immediately discovered
one that answered nv purpose very we'll 1t
was of a middling size, and destitute of
branches for some twenty or thirty feet above
The ground. found no difficulty in climb
ing it, gun in hand, As my short sojourn in
he country had made me quite an adept at
my such indispensable accomplishment.
Ihad no sooner seated myself in the first
cough, ready with my gun, than l could
near my late acquaintance bounding forward
,gain, and soon, by the dim light that had
Enabled me to discover the tree, discerned
Ms form alternately ascending and descend
ing, leaping high into the air, and it seemed
% me full twenty feet forward each time.
Il did not in the leas. puzzle his sagacity to
that the trail he was following
anne to a very abrupt conclusion; for, after
running several times around the tree, he
inally settled down beneath, and raised such
, tremendous yelp that, in spite of all nv
attempts to have brave heart, and yield as
title as possible to terror, this with the long
md quivering cry of the approaching pack,
'ould not but run like iron through nv
Hood. Much to my establishment the wolves
eemed content 10 occupy the background.
This was soon explained by the appearance
# another panther. These two formidable
ncmies occupied the ground alone, while
he murderous but cowardly wolves SUNK
ack into the obscuritv of the woods.
Upon this new arrival the two seemed for
short time to be holding an internal coun-
il. Soon one of then started and ran of,
Ihile the other remained cruuching beneath
he tree. was 1t loss TO comprehend pre- !
isely what this moyemen. might import, 4
hough / could in any case only remain 1
uiet, with my rife ready poised. 1t was
ifficult to resist the temptation to fire at the