Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-05-22
A Beastly BedfeIlow.

of the Adirondacks. He had been
brought up in the woods from infancy,
and the rocks, trees and flowing water
were his lesson books, for in that desc
late region schools were out OF the ques-
ton. He was the son of a guide who
conducted hunters and pleasure parties
over the lakes and through the woods
of the Shattagee region, and by the time
he was seventeen years of age the boy
was able to act as a guide himself. His
ewes were so keen that he could tell at
a glance. by the traces upon the
dry leaves, whether a bear, deer
or panther had passed by. The for
est was his home. and he could lie
down miles from home and sleep as
sweetly upon his couch of moss or leaves
a the best housed youngster on his
more civilized bed. In the summer of
1873, he guided a party distance OF
forty miles TO the first of the chain of
mountain lakes, where his father waited
for them with canoes. From that point
they had no further need of him, and
the same afternoon he started on his
return home. He had passed over ten
miles of the way when night came on,
and taking his hatchet from his belt he
quickly put up /" lean-to."
Ii did not take Jack long to built his
shelter, and when il was completed he
sat down under it, and eat some cold
meat and corn bread, which he had in
his haversa *. When he had finished
his supper he pulled quantity of moss
for bed, spread it upon the floor OF his
rude tent, wrapped his blanket around
him and laid down. The croaking of
the frogs, the lay of the whipporwill,
and the tapping of the river close at
hand were familiar sounds and quickly
lulled him to sleep. His rifle, loaded
and ready for use, was at his side. and
his knife in his sheath hung upon a
short. broken branch above his head.
Though he was but II years old, Jack
Featherly was as strong as most men,
and quite able to take care of himself;
for his courage was certainly equal TO
his strength. He slept for hours. The
night grew chilly, and it was well he
had wrapped his blanket around him
to keep out the damp air. 1t might
have been 3 o'clock in the morning,
lust before the light came, when he was
awakened by a strange feeling of unea-
siness, and gradually became aware of
the presence of some large soft body
living 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 GER
tainly some wild visitor was lying close
10 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.
Ny opinion is, that as brave As he
was. he would have been better pleased
with different bedfellow. Not that
Jack knew there was anything to fear
from this strange neighbOr, but the
suspense was something even more I'M
comfortable than fear.
Painfully still he lay, without NOV
ing hand or foot. for he could not tell
what deadly assault the slightest alarm
might provoke. But this inaction be-
came too horrible Human nerves could
not bear it.
Cautiously he reached out for his
rifle; his fingers closed upon il, inch
by inch he dragged it toward him till
the barrel lay across his breast and he
could touch the lock. Histhumb pressed
the hammer, but even now he dared
not cock it, for the click might startle
his bedfellow and force battle before
he was prepared.
Sooner or later, however, it must
come, and necessity compelled him to
venture. Stiffening 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 a moment his un-
known enemy seemed asleep again.
Would the morning never come I,
Jack dared not fire in the darkness, for
if he missed his aim, and the creature
proved indeed a 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 lhc boy passed such an
hour.
His mind was terribly active. and |
vivid memories of all he had ever done, !
and regrets for every misdemeanor,
with wild wild, thoughts of what the |
end of this adventure might be, peopled
his vigil of danger till it became nigh
mare.
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
IN attitude of repose, lay full grown
panther Carefully and silently the
boy drew his rifle forward a little more.
What if the cap should not explode?
What if the rifle was not properly
oaded? He raised his right arm gradu-
lily until the muzzle was within an
nch Of the panther's ear. He pressed
he trigger, and at the instant of dis
'harge he was on his feet with his hunt
ng knife in his hand ready to fight for
lis life. But there was no need of the
inife now.
The bullet had crashed through the
'rain of the PROSTATE beast, killing him
N the spot. Jacks danger was over;
,ut even now, whenever he tells the
tory. he says he can feel the cold sweat
,ather on his flesh as it did that terri
lie morning in the Adirondack woods.
when he lay in bed with the panther.