The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-04-03


head of the gang were within a few yards
OF the house. Just as | was leaving the
room the old man came rushing through
the hall, saying, 'Jim and Jake have been
headed off between here and the barn by
the pack, and all tie wild cats are on 'cm "
You bet there was lively movin around then.
The old man and Bill, an older brother,
took the guns and went up stairs to the
bedroom windows looking out on the yard.
We could hear the boys yelling for help
amid the growls Of the delighted animals
l put for an upp0 window and there was q
fearful sight. jim had drawn his jack
knife and was keeping the cats at bay, but
poor Jake was helpless. a big fellow had
him down, and jake had bis hands on the
rascal's throat with an awful grip. -Four
Or i've more Of the gang were trying to get
a show ut Jake, too. lie kicked right and
left and fought like tiger. Jim had his
hands full, even though he did have a knife
Ihey got behind him and would jtimp on
him. He gradually worked his way toward
the house, however, and sister sue, brave
girl, with nerves like soldier, was waiting
to open the door and let him in The old
man fired from the window first, and one
OF the pack fell dead. Neither Bill nor the
guv'ner dared shoot at the animals right
around Jake for fear of shooting him. 1t
was awful, tell you, friends. Bill put a
charge in another Of the fierce brucs, and
nc kneelcd over. BY that time some Of
the pack were devourng the first cata-
mount that the old man shot But there
were so many Of them that even the two
dead ones only drew away few of the
gang jim had put two of them out of the
way, and was working lis way fast toward
safety, but he was terribly weak from the
wounds the cats had given him. HI was
perfectly cool. though, aud he shouted once
to Bill: "kill another blackguard, and thcn
enough of 'em will be busy catin' to give
NE time" Bill cracked away, and down
went catamount close to Jim. Two or
three of the beasts jumped Oh the wounded
members OF the pack, and jim made dash
Tor the door. Sue had it unfaslcncd, and
the minute lie reached tic steps she threw
IT open and he rushed in, but, by George!
one OF the hungry rascals sprang in with
MIN. Then tell you there was fun. She
had big mcat-knife in her hand and she
stabbed the brute, but it only cxaspcrated
him. 1t went for her right away, and in a
moment there was cut down her pretty
cheek that left scar she always carried
afterward. jim turned as quick as a fash
and buried his jack-knifc deep III the brutc's
throat t.was Il sumner, but before the
animal expired he gave jim a dig in the
right hand that was sore for good many
weeks. Meanwhile Jake was struggling
out III the yard. How lie held out as he
did, with half dozen bloodthirsty beasts
about him, is more than could ever under
stand. When stopped watching jim,
and looked again to where Jake was, he
was all torn and bloody. You would't
nave known HIM, 80 dishgurcd by the cata-
mounts was he. The only thing that saved
him was the fact that some of the neigh
Dors, hearing the noise of the guns had
come out to lend assistance. The instant
they came near the house the animals
scented them, and all but two left Jake.
NO sooner had they gone than jim rushed
out of the house, followed by Sue. l told
you she was brave girl, didn't II Instead
OF making big fuss over the cut IN her
face, she never thought of herself, but only
OF JAKE. The two catamounts left Jake
right away when they saw jim and Sue,
and started for them. While one of the
rascals was midway between Jake and Sue,
the ola man put enough shot in him to end
his life. jim got the first dive at the other
one, and stabbed him in the neck. Sue
was by his side. and put the old butcher
Knife behind onc Of his cars. That settled
the business. Poor Jake was nearly dead;
indeed, they picked him up unconsc GUS.
lie lived for about month, but the strain
had been too great, and he died from the
effects of the fight. The rest of the pack
were killed by tho noghbors, although thoy
caused considerable trouble.