The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-08-12

linen suuuen SWdllnR Ol the pushes
caught his attention. and an instant
later black something, an animal tn
long body, four feet and huge head,
dimly appeared, half crouching upon an
open spot not thirty feet behind him. 1t
was the panther!
With cry Of terror the boy turned
and fled.
Over matted vines and quivering
quicksand, through twisted thickets and
clinging bushes, Ned ran, desperate
haste urging him on, frantic strength
upholding him, and ever as he looked
behind he saw the form of his savage
pursuer, following along his broad and
winding trail.
He sought to escape the swamp and
reach the open fields beyond, but, be-
wildered as he was, he ran first to the
left, then to the right, and not at all in
the desired direction, growing each mo-
ment more confused and wearied, until
he suddenly plunged into widespread
pool, and staggering to a clump of ferns
which formed little island near the
center, utterly exhausted, he sank to his
knees to hide from his terrible pursuer,
for he could flee no further.
And as he crouched, painting, torn and
almost hopeless, he saw the great ami
NAL who followed him. pause at the
verge of the pool, survey the situation,
and then lie quietly down with the evil
dent intention of biding his time now
that his prey was within easy reach.
Ned's heart utterly failed him.
For few moments he was but partial
ly conscious, for he was only boy, and
the peril that threatened him was hor-
rible, indeed, but after little his blood
ran more evenly and his heart beat less
furiously as he noted the quietness of
his savage captor. He was a prisoner
now, and his only hope was that the
panther might retire, or that some one
in search of him might come to his res
cue. And with these two chances for
escape before him he grew drawer and
settled himself for long and watchful
vigil fsr a
How slowly the moments passed, he
thought! Once he heard distant call,
and half starting to his feet he was about
to shout reply, when rustic from the
bushes on the edge of the pool sent
chill through him, and he sank down
again while the animal opposite him ut
tered warning half growl and moved
uneasily. AS time went on the night
grew cold and a damp mist crept up
from the swamp, floating like a long
winding sheet in and out among the
black clumps of bushes, and chilling
poor Ned until he shivered as with the
ague. The stars moved slowly across
the deep blue vault above, some climb
ing to the zenith where they hung as
far-away lamps for time, then as slow
ly descending again, others circling in
grand procession about invisible orbits
of their own. There was no moon and
the n ght had a gray and grewsome look
to the despairing boy. There came mo-
ments when his eyes would close in spite
of everything, and terrible drowsiness
sweep over him, then he would awaken
with start and peer anxiously toward
where the panther Law But that great
beast remained motionless, and the
weary hours dragged on. - .;. tr..
| AT last, and it seemed to the boy that
he had passed month upon his desert
sand, at last, away in the east, dim
line of pearl-colored light appeared.
Very gradually it widened, then became
tinged at first with purple, afterward
with crimson; long rays of silver shot
up the sky that as they grew changed
to ruddy gold, the little birds in the
woods awoke and began to call one to
the other cheerily, soft wind crept out
OF the bosom of the coming dawn, and
rolling the night mists into a great
white cloud whisked them away down
the valley sounds of life from the fields
about became audible, horn was blown
from beyond the hill. the light increased
in strength, the golden color centered
in single spot upon the horizon, and
then, in majesty undiminished since
first the world began, the sun arose; it
was morning! '''.
Filled with new life and courage, Ned
turned his eyes from the glorious east
and looked towards his enemy, and be-
hold the horrid phantom of the dark
ness was gone, and in its place there
stood, black and friendly, with open
mouth and wagging tail, not pan
Their but Jim Harrington's old dog
Major. .." :
! Joining in the search for the lost ball
the day before, the animal had wan
dered deep into the swamp and missed
! iourneyed homeward he had followed
him, and dog-like had waited all night
at his post, no doubt wondering in his
sought so damp couch, but faith
full to the end. Ned's parents had
supposed their son to be with his
friends, his friends supposed him safe
at home, and so it was that no search
had been made for him. But the story
OF the night vigil in the cranberry
swamp was too good to keep a secret,
and the boy himself told it when home
| Al \ L. Il. \