Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-10-13
A Night With u Panther.

In the autumn of 1852, after having
traversed great part of the Western ter
ritory, found myself In the pleasant ant
healthy little village of Fayetteville, in
the northwestern part of Arkansas. Here
in consequence of the large quantity Of
game with which the neighborhood abound
ed, determined to devote few weeks tO
recruiting my strength, which owing to
the laborious manner in which had Travelled
had become very much exhausted, and also
to enjoy the pleasure of my fav0rite amuse-
ment-hunting.
Upon one OF my hunting excursions / had
been singularly unsuccessful-not having
had shot during the whole day, and, as
might be supposed, felt in not very JOY
GUS mood; for upon all previous occasions
had met with great loss. This i'll luck
caused me to remain in the forrest much
longer than l anticipa ed; and when first
began TO think of returning, l found
that it was already beginning to get dark,
and l had quite dIstancc 10 travel through
the forest before reachiug the village.
Weary in body and haras-e1 IN mind, in
consequence of my want OF success,
slowly retraced my steps. soon the dark
mantle Of night was spread upon the forest,
and as vet, perceived no signs Of the OPEN
ing. Ihastened my steps, thinking, to reach
the clearing ere it became too dark for the
travel Faster and faster | walked, until
found myself going at a hrisk lot, although
at every step my clothes were torn by the
brush, and my flesh considerably lacerated.
Soon, however, was compelled 10 slacken
my pace, as it had become so dark that !
was unable to distinguish the trees, and
rather reluctantly came to the CONCLUSION
that 1 would have to take up my quarters
for the night where l was.
As my mind was thus employed, trying
TO arrange some plan for my nights
accommodation, | was startled by piercing
shrek, as OF some person in distress. 1
stopped suddenly, and endeavored 10 peer
in.o the darkness for an explanation. Again
l heard the sound, although apparently at
not so great distance from me as the first.
1 stood then irresolutely. Were it human
being, 1t would be my duty to render any
assistance that might be in my power, and
-. At this point of my meditations,
perceived through the underbrush, short
distance from me, two objects, close together,
resembling small balls of fire. had now di-
vined the cause Of the noise / had heard. 1t
proceeded from a wild animal, and that ami
nal, was now watching me with its tre-like
orbs! l hastily raised my gun and fired;
but as the object was some distance from
me, and not being able to draw a sight, l
must have missed it, for no sooner had /
pulled the trigger than with two or three
bounds, it was before me. | now discov-
cred, from its close proximity, that it was a
much dreaded and savage
animal, which old hunters, even when well
equipped, are 10th to meet. drew my
hunting knife, not having time to reload
my rifle, and waited for the fatal spring;
but to my surprise, the panther crouched
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 animal,
was determined to defend my
life to the last extremity. Once Iendeav-
ored to reload my rifle, but the moment
to move, the panther rose, as
If about to spring upon me. l determined.
to keep myself in readiness for
the attack, for perceived, from the move
ments of my enemy, that should attempt
10 move, II would be upon me in an instant.
There we were in the midst of dense for
ist, eyeing each other with bitter enmity.
Thus was kept IN suspence for long
know not how long, for each min-
ute seemed an hour, until tie panther
becoming hungry, slowly ad-
vanced toward me. When within about SIX
feet of me, it again stopped, and prepared
for the spring. Iretained my composure man.
fully. for although had been much excited
On the first appearance of the animal, the
ength of time that had interviewed, and the
of my case, had given me new
strength, and determined that if must
lie, it would be bravely defending my
1fe
Suddenly the panther gave q spring.
Fhis had anticipated, and planted myself
IS firmly as possible, holding my knife in
such a manner that the 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 me of the fact. l had
not killed the panther, however; for,
before could regain my feet, it was upon
me 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 bequexthed to ne. It
again jumped upon me, and we rolled owe.
md ovsr upon the earth. l clasped it with