The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-30

my rifle, and waited for the fatal spring;
but to my surprise, the panther crouch ed
down about twelve feet from me, and
gazed into my eyes in a manner not suited
to lessen my excitement. Steadily l
watched it, expecting every moment to be
torn IN pieces by the ferocious unlmal,
although was determined to defend my
life to the last extremity. Once Iendeav-
ored to reload my rifle, but tho moment
commenced to move, the panther rose, as
If about to spring upon me. l determined
therefore, to keep myself In readiness for
the attack, for perceived, from the move
mehts of my enemy, that should attempt
to novel, 1t would be upon me in al instant.
There we were in the midst of dense for
list, cycling each other with bitter enmlty.
Thus was l kept In suspence for a long
time-l know not how long, for each min
ute seemed an hour, until the panther
probably becoming hungry, slowly ad-
vanced toward me. When within about Six
feet OF me, it again stopped, and prepared
for the spring. 1rctained my comp,sure man.
fully,for although had been much excited
on the first appearance of the animal, the
length of time that had interviewed, and the
hopelcssness of my case, had given me new
strength, and determined that if l must
die, it would be bravely defending my
life
Suddenly tho panther gave spring.
This had anticipated, and planted myself
as firmly as possible, holding my knife in
such manner that tho animal would Jump
upon it. The shock knocked me down; but
knew that had buried my knife in the
animals body, for the warm blood that fell
upon me, convinced mo of tho fact. had
not killed the panther, however; for,
before l could regain my feet, 1t was upon
mo and as had lost my knife immediately
upon the first attack, was almost power
less, having nothing TO defend myself with,
but what nature had bequeathcd to inc. 1t
again jumped upon me, and we rolled over
and over upon the earth. claspcd it with
all my power around the body, and from
the tightness with which held il, 1t was
unable to do me much injury. felt, with
pleasure too that it's strength was decreas-
ing, and concluded that the knife must
have entered vital part. Iheld hrmly,
knowing, that should relax my efforts,
death would he the inevitable result. Every
moment telt the strength Of the panther
diminish, until finally 1t ceased itshold al
together. knew now that my enemy was
dead, in consequence of the wound 1t had re-
celved inlts first attack; and after became
aware OF the fact that its life was extinct,
began to examine my own injuries, which
although not severe, were numerous
found that my breast had been torn consid-
erablo on tho first attack. bound up my in
juries with my han dkerchiof, as we'll as
circumstances would permit, and then,
being much exhausted, lay down near my
now defunct enenmy, to rest.
lay there upon the earth for some time,
and must have slept; for, when l again
remember, the first gray streaks of mora
ing were beginning TO break through the
tall trees. now, for tho first time, had Q
fair view of the object of my nightly com
bat. 1t was an immense panther; and, as
gazed upon it, shuddered at what would
have been the result, had I not been SO
fortunate as to disable it ON the first attack.
now skinned the animal, and hastily re-
turned to the village, when, on measure
nlent, it proved to be ten feet and q half
from tip to tip.