The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-03-19
A WESTERN STORY.

A WESTERN STORY.
You ask me to tell you story. Well
as I know of no better way in which tc
spend the long evening before us, I will
do so on one condition. Each must try
his hand at 1t when am through.
We were weather bound at rude
Western inn. almost upon the verge OF
civilization. The day just passed had
been stormy one, and we had to go
through it as best we could. Now, as
the darkness came on early and the long
evening loomed up before us, we gather
ed about the roaring fire of huge logs,
which burned bravely upon the hearth,
and prepared to pass it away by story
telling, a device to which travellers in our
situation are always prone to resort.
The one who had been appealed to for
the first story, was man of some SO
years of age, who had followed the occu-
patton of peddler. He had the best
turnout in the stable which that part of
the country had ever seen in his line,
though he had told us that he once had
for years carried pack on his back. But
by his own exertions and industry he had
risen above that now, and had snug
sum laid up against the time when he
should give up his business, and take the
remaining years of his life in an easier
way.
We gave our consent to his conditions,
and he at once commenced his story.
"It is now nearly fifteen years ago that
the adventure befell me which I am
about to relate.
''lt was before I gave up my pack for a
horse and cart, though I had already
made up my mind that could afford it..
was travelling through wild section of
country wilder, if possible, than
this around here. Between the set
Elements there were long stretches
of forest filled with wild beasts,
and now and then you came upon band
of strolling savages. Besides these, there
was the usual class of villains, horse
thieves and renegades, who would not
hesitate to take mans life, if they
thought it to their advantage to do so.
zone night I stopped at a tavern which
stood in the midst of a little settlement
of not more than dozen log houses. I
had been the round of them, and drove
what bargains I could, and in the morn
ing was to go on, at as early an hour as
score of miles to go before should
reach the next settlement.
SIN the evening there were assembled
in the bar-room all the male denizens of
the place, and among them was one whom
I at once set down as a villain. His
looks plainly showed that there was little
he would hesitate to do, if in the end
there was anything to gain. Again and
again I caught him looking at my pack,
which had placed in one corner of the
room, near the bar; and at once 1 felt
sure he was looking at me as though cal
culating whether or no l should be a
dangerous antagonist in case he Should
rob me of it. The more I saw of him;
the less I liked his looks, and [ felt re-
lieyed when at last he left the room for
home.
s'I was up betimes the next morning,
and as soon as I had finished my break
fast I started. As left the settlement
behind me, could not help glancing
about to make sure that the man Of
whom I had formed SO poor an opinion
was not following me; but he was not to
be seen. Hardly anyone was stirring out
of doors, and there was little life except
about the tavern, or where the white
smoke curled up above the roof of each
cabin.
ssOnce within the forest, hurried on,
desiring to put as great distance as l
could between me and the settlement in
as little time as possible.
ga feeling of danger oppressed me,
which I found impossible to shake off. 1
am not naturally timidyor given to pre-
sentiments, as many are; but on this oc-
casion there was sort of fear upon me
of which I could not rid myself, try as
hard as I might.
Cali the morning I kept on in this
way, and by noon I felt that 1 had put
such distance between myself and the
settlement that I had no longer cause to
fear any one had left behind me.
Gas I had learned from the landlord
that I should not be able to reach any
human habitation before nightfall, I had
taken nv dinner along with me, and
now, feeling the need of it, I set down by
the edge of clear stream which crossed
the road, and commenced my noontide
meal. Only man who had walked as L
had done that morning can know the
relish I had for the bread and meat
which had been provided for me, and
when the generous supply disappeared
I almost wished that there had been
more.
ssThe extra exertion I had made, and
the hearty meal of which had partaken,
made me sleepy, and placing my pack
under my head, closed my eyes, think
ing would take few minutes rest be-
fore going onward.
ST did not mean to go to sleep, yet in
less than five minutes I was unconscious
of all that was passing around me. How
long I slept I know not. It might have
been few minutes, or it might have
been an hour, but I awoke at last with
start, and sense of some great danger
hanging over me. did not start up or
move hand or foot. A certain something,
could not tell what, seemed to chain
me down.
81 opened my eyes and looked about
me, but saw nothing; and 1 was just on
the point of making motion to get upon
my feet, when heard the slight crack
ling of branch above my head. Look
ing up in the direction of the sound, /
beheld sight which almost froze the
marrow in my bones, and seemed to turn
my blood to ice. A huge panther was
crouching there, ready for a spring
upon me.
Gas motionless as one dead, I lay and
gazed up at my terrible enemy. To stir
as much as hand or foot knew would
be the signal for the beast to spring
upon me. Its fiery eyes were fixed upon
my face, and its tail was gently waving to
and fro like that of cat.
Hope of escape there seemed none.
My deem was sealed. The panther had
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