Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-03-27
VOL. 73.--372S. NO. "a.

The path here was broad and well worn,
and, turning involuntarily 10 see how close
behind was our terrible foe, | beheld him
crouching just on the bank, as though he
meant to spring upon the dog and crush
him at once. | watched him, frightened
though was and running still, and in a
moment saw him bound upon my little
spaniel, as | had seen a cat pounce upon an
unwary mouse. But the dog too had marked
his posture, and at the very second that he
sprang ran fleetly on in our footsteps for
some rods, and then turned again and set up
his defiant noise. Again the beast crouched
low, and again sprang forward, this time
catching hold of the tips of one Of Keepers
ears. But like lightning the dog escaped
him, leaving the little slken morsel in the
sharp teeth, and, as though nfuriated by
the wound, he barked louder than ever still
opposing himself TO the huge beast. Again
the wild creature bounded and this time
thought our faithful little guardian would
lose his life entirely, for the fangs were
fastened in his shoulder; and, forgetting
my own peril in the agitation Of the moment
stood still, the cold sweat oozing from
every pore and the tears streaming down my
heeks.
But at that moment there rang through
the forest the sharp report of rifle, and
weltering in his own hot blood the panther
rolled upon the grass in dying agonies.
stood translXed IL seemed too good to be
true tnat my dog was saVed-yes, and we
were mile yet from home, and our little
feet too weary to outrun a panther.
lie ugly fellow TO meet without a rifle
looked up "A gigantic Indian stood be-
side me.
"'2n am so glad you shot MN lie would
nave Killed my dog.
es, and little white pappoose, too But
me on his trall all day. Come and see the
dog now he brave
went back, cllnging to the blanket of
the INDIAN very tenderly did he take up
the wounded dog and carry him back to the
stream where he bathed the torn shoulder.
men running INTO the underbrush, he picked
mere ana there leat, and brulslng them in
nis norhy hahds, appiled them TO the wound,
oihdlhg IL up WIN STRIPS torn from the high
check apron when l. IN common with all
boys Oh my age theh wore'
lie hVe now i've TO hght more pan
tner' and he gave an expressive ugh"
linen ne TOOK the wearied animal IN his
arms anu teiIlhg me 10 keep close TO MN,
started on
NY cousins mad never stopped to look
-, ~ '"" ' ""N '~0N 'Si,o' Si"5
the alarm and so, when nearly there, we
met the whole oil the two households coming
out TO hght the panther: My father and
uncle were each armed with musket their
TWO hireu men carried eacn sharp axe
"hlle my mother ana aunt hourished the
TWO keen-oladed meat knives.
can remember yet now wnlte my moth
efS lace was ana now rlgid my 1ather
looked. ] was their only Son-thelr hrSt-
oorn-and they thought to mud me man
sled corpse
Ana ana the dog i've
es enid tIl he was bllnd and deal.
lie lived and was cared for, too, my mother
teedlng nm In the last year OF his lie as
Sne would nave ied enid and when he
died we inourhed MIN as Trend.
And the Indian, grandfather
" lie came often to our cabin after that,
aud we learned to love him well, Tor he was
one oil those noble red men who shun the