The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-03-20
A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.
4 Desperate Fight with II Panther In Sarn-
toGn County, y. Y.

4 Desperate Flight with IL Panther In Sarn-
toEH County, n. Y.
George Hinckley was at eleven O'Clock
at night driving from Corinth to Conk.
Iingvillc, Saratoga county, N. Y, some.
what belated. There was no moon and
tho road was uncertain, owing TO tho
rough weather which had prevailed in
that section for two weeks or more. He
was in light cutter, well protected
from the cold by robes md blankets, and
was driving spirited horse. The road
lay through some underground OF woods.
While the horse was jogging aiong at a
moderate trot, suddenly he stopped,
threw his ears forward, gave furious
snort and refused to go further. The
driver urged him to 60 aud finally struck
him with halter, tho strap ond Of
which was tied to the cutter in order to
prevent its dropping out and becoming
lost. The horse jumped forward in n
frightened manner, but before he had
taken three steps huge panther sprung
from behind q low evergreen close by
the track and leapei squarcly into tile
cutter. As it struck tho cutter its fore
paws came with great force against
Hinckley's breast, and with ono haul
with its powerful nails the mans clothing
WIS stripped clean from his skin.
HinckIey had tho halter with which
he had Just struck the horse still in bis
hand, aud instinctively he laid it with
all bis might over the head OF his fierce
assailant. BY one OF the blows the head.
stall was passed over tho panthcr's head.
It being slipping moose, the next effort
to strike drew the moose tight about the
panther's neck. Then desperate hand
to.hand, rs it were, fight ensued, The
man struggled to throw of the beast,
but succeeded only so fur as to prevent
it from fastening its powerful jaws upon
his now bare neck. The panthergr grabbed
the mans left arm, which it bit through
and through, the blood which flowed
only seeming TO make it the more furi-
ous. With the right arm Hinciley
frightened tho slipping moose about the
animals throat. So tight was it drawn
by that strength which comesof despera-
ton that the panther was choked SO that
it let 60 its hold Oh his arm and gasped,
ut the same time stripping its victim OF
clothing, and laceratipg his skin with its
sharp claws. With tho first spring OF
the panther, accompanied as it was with
wild, fierce growl, tho horse took
fright and ran ut full speed, every leap
fairly lifting tho cutter from the track.
Thus, while Hinckley WIS struggling
for life in tho cutter, tho horse was run
ming away. But this proved to be the
salvation OF the driver; for in making a
short turn in the road the cutter was
overturned, dumping driver and panther
ont upon the frozen snow. Tho moment
they struck earth, however, they parted
company. One end Of tho halter being
fast to tho cutter and the other tight
about the wild animals neck, the lattcr
was mercilessly dragged after the flying
steed, its body jumping and bounding
along the road like tin pan hitchGd to
dogs tail.
The running away Of tho horse saved
Mr.. Hinckley's life. He was left by tho
roadside, whence he in course OF time
found his way to house. The horse
ran till he got loose from the cutter, and
he then went to Conklingville. The cut
ter, badly shattered, was found hclf n
milo from the spot where the panther
leapcd from behind the bush. Tho Nui-
nal was dead, choked to death, and
badly bruised. 1t was a narrow escape.
and one of tho most peculiar and des-
perate struggles that ever occurred be-
tween man aud beast.