The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-09-14

More-more p he muttered, as he
fell back exhausted.
"You shall have it y exclaimed the
pitying boy, as he hurried away to the
brook again.
He brought back larger quantity
than before, which was swallowed with
no less esgerness, when Ruppy was sat
isfed. His dark eyes looked the graft
tude which he could not speak, and the
boy experienced the pleasure of knowing
that he had done kindness to a needy
fellow creature.
Fortunately, Edward in his ignorance
did the very best thing possible under
the circumstances. The patient was
wrapped up in his skins and furs, and
shortly after fell into refreshing sleep,
during which, when the boy placed his
hand upon his brow, he found that it
was covered with perspiration. The fe-
yer was broken and the half breed was
convalescent.
To shorten this part of our narrative,
our young friend remained with Ruppy
for couple of days, by which time he
was perfectly recovered. He was filled
with an Indians gratitude for the kind
ness shown him, and when his young
acquaintance took his departure, he car
ried several presents, in the shape of
toys, and in return gave the promise to
come back as soon as possible and ac-
company him on hunt.
Edward did not wait long to avail
| himself of this invitation but before
week had come round, he presented him.
self at the door of Ruppys wigwam, &C
coutred for hunt. The half-breed re-
ceived him with undisguised pleasure.
| "The woods are full of game" said he,
his fine eye sparkling, while he little
dreamed that he was about to engage in
the most momentous hunt of hisslife..
"What shall we shoot 2" inquired Ed
ward. "There are plenty OF deer and
| bear"
"They are not worth our powder and
ball." replied the half-breed, with the
dignity and pride which is sometimes
seen in the Indian under similar circum-
stances.
"And what are noble game, if they
are not 2" inquired our hero, in no little
surprise.
1--WE will hunt the panther he is a
brave animal, and will fight. have
enough food, and do not need the deer,
and the bear is coward unless you get
him in a corner; but the panther will
not run from the white or red man."
"Just as you say" laughed the young
hunter; "they are not 30 plenty as other
animals, but 1 suppose you know where
to look for them"
"Ruppy will show you such hunting
| t.. 41o ~,
cant reply.
A few minutes later the two issued
from the lodge, and, talking a northern
direction, which led them toward the
heart of this vast wilderness, they started
out upon the panther-hunt. Ruppy
strobe through the forest like a genuine
Indian, taking long Looping strides, which
necessitated almost a run upon the part
of the young hunter to keep pace with
More than once, as they journeyed in
this manner, they caught sight of beal
that numbered awkwardly out of theil
way, or the frightened antelope, which
bounded off with the speed of the wind
1t was a strong temptation to Edward
but the Ealf-breed shook his head. That
was not the game for which he wa:
searching.
A half hour later they reached large
hill, the top of which was almost clea,
OF underground. Standing here, they
gazed down into a dense-looking portion
of the wood, which from their stand
point seemed almost impenetrable.
There we shall find panthers," saiC
Ruppy; "we shall now find game wortl
hunting"
"Do you see any signs of them I"
"No, but I know they are there.
have been through that section many {
time, and never without encounterine
one of those fierce brutes."
"Let us go forward, then, for it i
near noon."
Hold do you go down the hill, ant
enter the thicket near that large sugar
maple, which you see can yonder, while
will off toward the red oak, and we will
then come toward each other. See tina
your rifle is ready, for it is the onl.
thing that has much effect on these crea
tures."
This programme was carried out, ant
when the two hunters entered the woot
they were fully quarter of mile from
each other. Edward Inman plunged
into the densest portion, walking care
fully ahead, and keeping bright look
out for the game which had brough
them hither. Innumerable squirrel
were skur ying up the trees and dartini
: from one limb to another, while the al
|, was full of birds.
The boy had passed about half @
the intervening distance, when loy
groaning growl caught his ear, an
looking up, he saw an enormous panther
squatted on the immense limb of
colossal oak, glaring down upon hin
} with an expression which showed un
, mistakably that he was making ready
spring down upon his head.
, There was no time to be lost, anC
stepping back few PAGES, Edwar
/ leveled his rifle at the head of the brut,
At the very instant of discharging hi
gun, the panther's body left its percl
shooting down through the limbs like
meteor. The young hunter had bee
! expecting this, and at the instant th
: rifle cracked, he made spring backward
, the brute striking heavily at his fee
and immediately afterward making
huge curveting spring in the air, az
, companied by terrific growing an
! snarling. Instead of springing upon th
, hslf-paralyzed boy, the brute gyrate
: about with the most extraordinary eve
: lutions, not offering to touch him.
/ 1t was not till several moments ha
4 elapsed that our hero discovered tht
5 his riAe-ball, instead of killing the an
NAL, as he intended, had struck him i