The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-05-09

large, soft body lying close to his own.
He could hear the heavy respirations of
an animals breath, and even felt them
on his neck. Whether the creature
was ferocious or otherwise he could not
tell, but certainly some wild visitor was
lying close to him and enjoying the
friendly warmth of his body.
Was Jack frightened? Put yourself
in his position and tell me what you
think about it. My opinion is, that as
brave as he was, he would have been
better pleased with different bedfel-
low. Not that Jack knew there was
anything to fear from his strange
neighbor, but the suspense was some
thing even more uncomfortable than
fear.
Painfully etill he lay. without moving
hand or foot, for he could not tell what
deadly assault the slightest alarm might
provoke. But this inaction became too
horrible. Human nerves could not
bear it.
Cautiously he reached out for his
rifle; his fingers clutched upon it; inch
by inch he dragged it toward him till
the barrel lay across his breast and he
could touch the lock. His thumb
pressed the hammer, but even now he
dared not cock it, for the click might
startle his bedfellOw and force q battle
before he was prepared.
Sooner or later, however, it must
come, and necessity compelled him to
venture. Siffening his muscles, and
drawing in his breath, he thrust back
the hammer of the lock, and the sharp
click, click, sounded fearfully distinct
in the dead silence. The wild animal
made quick movement, but Jack lay
like a stone, and in q moment his I'M
known enemy seemed asleep again.
Would the morning never come!
Jack dared not fire in the darkness, for
if he missed his aim, and the creature
proved indeed beast of prey, there
was no chance for him. With his fin
ger upon the trigger and his hand upon
the lock, he waited in aching anxiety
for the first light to show him the out
lines of his dreaded companion.
Minutes seemed hours. Never before
in his life had the boy passed such an
hour.
His mind was terribly active, and
vivid memories OF all he hadeve done,
and regrets for every misdemeanor,
with wild thoughts of what the end OF
this adventure might possibly be, peo-
pied his vigil of danger till it became a
nightmare.
Slowly, very slowly, the darkness
broke away, and Jack, sickened with
his long suspense, cautiously turned
his head.
There, close to him, stretched out in
an attitude of repose, lay full-grown
panther. Carefully and silently the boy
drew his rifle forward little more.
What if the cap should not explode?
What if the rifle was not properly load
ed? He raised his right arm gradual.
ly, until the muzzle was within an inch
of the panther's ear. He pressed the
trigger, and at the instant of discharge
he was on his feet with his hunting.
knife in his hand, ready to fight for his
life. But there was no need of the
knife now.
[ The bullet had crashed through the
brain of the PROSTATE beast, killing him
on the spot. Jacks danger was over
but even now, whenever he tells the
story, he says he can feel the cold sweat
gather on his flesh as it did that terrible
morning in the Adirondack woods wher
he lay in bed with the panther.-Allen
| tOaOa (P0.) Cor. EEckQuOe.