West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-03-20


blinds shut any too quick, either for the
head of the gang Were within 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 OIL between here and the barn by
The pack, and all q wild cats are ON 'em. !"
You bet there was lively movin' around then
The old man and Bill, an older brother,
look the guns and went up stairs 10 the
bedroom windows looking ont on the ward
we could hear the boys yelling tor help
amid the growls of the delighted animals
put Tor an upper window and there was a
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 his hands ON the
rsscals throat with an awful grip. -Four
or hve more of the gang were trying 10 get
show at Jake, too He kicked right and
left and fought like tiger Jim had his
hands full, even though he did have knife
They got behind him aud would Jump on
him. He gradually worked his way toward
the house, however, and sister sue, brave
girl, with nerves like a soldier. was waiting
to open the door aud let him in The old
man fired from the window first, and one
of the pack fell dead. Neither Bill nor the
guv'n dared shoot at the animals right
around Jake for fear of shooting him. IL
was awful, | tell you, friends Bill put n
charge in another of the fierce brutes, and
he kneeled over. BY that time some Of
the pack were dcvouring the first cata-
mount that the old man shot. But there
were 80 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 his way fast toward
safety, but he was terribly weak from the
wounds the cats had given him. He was
perfectly cool. though, and he shouted once
To Bill: XIII another blackguard, and then
enough of 'em will be busy catn' To give
me time Bill cracked away, and down
went catamount close to Jim. Two or
three of the beasts jumped on the wounded
members OF the pack, and Jim made dash
Tor the door. Sue had il unfastencd, and
the minute he reached the steps she threw
II open and he rushed I'm, but, by George
one OF the hungry rascals sprang i'm with
nm. Then tell you there was fun She
had big meat knife in her hand and she
stabbed the brute, but IL only exasperatcd
hlm. IL went Tor her right away, and in Il
moment there was cut down her pretty
cheek that left scar she always carried
alterward. Jim turned as quick as flash
ard buried his jack-knile deep IN the brute's
throat. II was sumner, but before the
animal expired hc gave Jim dig in the
| rlght hand that was sore for good many
weeks. Meanwhile Jake was struggling
out In the yard. How he held out IA he
did, with II half-doZen bloodthirsty beasts
about him, is more than could ever under
stand. When stopped watching Jim,
ana looked again TO where Jake was, he
was all torn and bloody. You would't
have known him, so dsflgurcd by the cata-
mounts was he. The only thing that saved
him was the fact that some of the neigh
bors, 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. / told
you she was brave girl, didn'tll Instead
of making big fuss over the cut In her
lace, she never thought of herself, but only
OF Jake. The two catamouDts 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 Old 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 one Of his ears. That settled
the business. Poor Jake was nearly dead
| indeed, they picked him up unconsc GUS
lie lived for about month"; but the strain
| bad been too great, and he died from the
| effects Of the fight. The rest of the pack
were killed by the noighbOrs, although they
caused considerable trouble.