The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1883-02-11
How Dolly Heat the Hunters.

hbW buttN hcht tne hunters.
Charley, it's time to go after the cows -
shd Farmer Goodwin TO his oldest boy, one summer
day near evening
"nm OF, father" replied Charley. bright lit
tie fellow OF eleven, and whstllng to Tiger, large
brlnde mastln, he was soon marching toward the
pasture with the dog at his heels.
rms was ninety years ago, very nearly, and the
place near tue historic mountains OF Kearsarge, In
central New Hampshire. Moses Goodwin was one
OF the early settlers OF that region and his farm stood
far up the cleared slope OF the mountain on fertile
ridge OF and, where the fields OF were rpenlng
for the harvest.
The sides OF the mountain were covered with thick
forests, even as they are to-day, aifording excellent
hannts for the wild animals OF the latitude. The
bark OF the WOLF the screech OF the cougar and the
growl OF the bear were we-known sounds to most OF
the early settlers. Indeed II was no uncommon
thing Tor families ot the pioneers to be awakened
a. night by the fierce chorus OF Wild beasts around
There were large State bounties on all these ami
nils, and after few years their numbers began to
diminish. AT the time OF our story 1t was very sell
dom that bear or panther seen about the set
tlement. II now and then farmer lost fine sheep
or favorite cali II was no than was expected
Farmer GOODWIN had himself that very autumn u
valuable young heller, which was supposed to have
been carried OF by u bear. None OF the other set
tiers had lost any OF their stock, and 1t supposed
that the animal had left the neighborhood.
Charley was gone longer than usual after the
cows on tho evening In question. Ills parents be.
gan to feel uneasy at his nrotracted absence.
cts time he should be here, ~ said the farmer
1.-The stock must have wandered further than usual
- am afraid something has happened to him, -
shade paler at the thought OF her hoy danger.
Perhaps he's met a bear or panther.n
"There lie Is now, all right, guess, ~ exclaimed
the husband, us he heard tho cattle going Into the
barn. "ill 20 out and help him turn them ln.'
As he opened the door in rushed Tiger, utterlng
fearful means, and shaking like an aspen leaf The
mastiir was In terrible condition. Ills brnded hide
was all covered with blood and there were torn places
and gaping wounds hi neck and shoulders showing
concusively that he had been engaged In fight with
some powerful animal. Mrs. Goodwin sat down. white
aud faint, In n chair.
I, 10
Killed my boy: Oh, what shall do?'' she sobbed,
half frantic Ia her grief.
g BE calm, MOTHER" said the settler, 81 don't
believe IT. as bad as that The attacked the
dog. Perhaps Charley Is hiding somewhere. I'Ilget
neghbor savary to 20 with me, and Wen see II he
cant be fOund.''
lie Int a candle and placed 1t In an old tin lantern
and VEN TO the home of his next door neighbor To-
geher the two men followed the path to the PASTURE
and searched that Enclosure all over, but they We're
unable to mud any trace of the boy.
Once or twice they stopped and called his name but
there was no answer. AS they pressing through
the thick underbrush by the banks OF the brook a
fierce scream stayed thersteps. There the sound
OF large body tearing through the shrubbery and by
the light OF their lantern they saw the fierce beast
its claws
ITS panther, sure enough, - said Goodwin,s
WED better start for the house, seeing as how we
amt armed.''
'And must go home without my boy? How can
!? IL viii Kill my poor wife ~
It's the only thing left us, There. the panther
going away. It's useless to stand here any longer
The beast washeard moving or and they turned sadly
toward home.
ON the following morning large company of men
aud boys, neighbOring settlers, were gathered with
their dogs ana guns around Goodwin's cabin door
The news of Charley disappearance and of panther
In the neghbCrhoOd had spread like wildhre through
the settlement 1t wasdetermlned to hunt the monster
to the death.
The excited party started at once, divided into two
companies, each under an experienced hunter. 1t
was thought by this method that the panther would
have fewer chances OF escaping, and be brought to
bay with more despatch than II the hunters marched
In one body.
Far up on tho mountain the hounds took the scent
ana dashed away, followed by the hunters. But
away to the left on another ridge of the mountains
was heard the bay OF the pack belonging to the other
division. Still the enthusiasm of the settlers was not
cooled. AT noon the TWO parties met on the other
side OF the mountain A light lunch was eaten, and
then they started on the honeward track. Nothing
had been seen of the panther.
on the Warner side OF the mountain, late in the AZ
efnOOd, the MOUNDS OF one Of the parties made
great cutlery. IL was In swamp, not far from the
Goodwin pasture. The men hurried to the spot
jumping stones and bushes and the trunks of fallen
trees In their haste They met the dogs coming back
Two OF them had bloody muzzles and bore hideous
wounds on the bodies.
''The dogs have had hold of something and some-
thing has had hold of them, said one of the men,
quietly. IT'S paniher's work; know the mark
The hunters went through the swamp cautiously.
The dogs would not go back again. No trace of the
panther was found Disappointed and weary, they
proceeded down the mountain toward the settlement
.'What is thaty" asked one of the men suddenly.
A sound like that of some one shouting was plainly
heard; They all stopped to listen. The shout was
peated and was not far of.
"Its my hoy It's Charey's voice =, cried
Goodwin. - He must be alive ~ and rushed In the
direction of the sound.
At the foot OF the hill before spoken Of In Good
wins pasture, there was was large ledge of rocks
Toward that the party fastened.
'Charey Charley where are you p'' shouted the
pioneer.
:" Here am, - replied the little fellow down
here In the rock. can't get up
several OF the party had already mounted la
ledge, and they now what was the matter.
There was crevice or crack running through the
rock from top TO bottom, all the way from foot to
loot and a half in width. Into this fssure the lad
had fallen, and as the sides steep and smooth
he could not possibly climb out. hazel witle was
cut aud one end given him. and he was speedily
drawn up to the surface.
90 How came you in there, Charley, " asked his
father.
' fell In, - answered the boy. - was out there
under that maple when the panther jumped on to
Tige. ran TO the top of THIS rock and stumbling
fell down In there. The panther came several times
and Tried to reach me. but lie couldn't. Oh. I'm so
tired and hungryr'
1--WE he nj home soon said his father .,Your
mother Will he looking for you. -
They hastened toward the cabin with eager foot
ing from fruitess search for boy panther. just
then the report OF gun was heard at the settlement
What does that mean 20 asked brawny pioneer
- don't KNOW answered Goodwin. ~
80 Something must be the matter. ~
The party hastened their steps TO a run.
At the close OF the long afternoon Dolly Goodwin
girl OF about Sixteen had gone out to do the milking
The cows had not been turned 10 the pasture that day
hut had been kept In an Enclosure the barn. shut
IN NY u stone wall eight feet high
Her mother had objected 10 DOlly's doing this
Father win be at the house soon, ~ she said, and
there will be time enough then. "
But Dolly, who was busy little body insisted. nIf
you are AFRAID for me, VIII take my gun. You
won't have to worry then. The cows really ought TO
he MIXED, for It's almost dark. Besides, BTIndIs
and Loo like me. ~
The girl took down small pretty musket from It's
pace over ,he deer ahter II was her own purchased
IS
The yard seemed safe, coy place, and Dolly felt
like smiling at her mothers fears she sat down on
stool and began milking of the gentle mild eyed
animals that were complacently chewing their cuds
She had one OF the pals about lled when there was
q sudden disturbance among the horned Inmates OF
the Enclosure.
Dolly rose To her feet and gazed around. grasping
her inusket In both hands. We can see how she
lOOked-a thin slip of girl with bare feet and AMI les
gown of lnsey- wOolsey her bingham bonnet thrown
back from her cnIls and hanging to her neck by It's
fastened strings The red in her cheeks aud the flash
IN her eye made her look very charming.
Her quick eye soon caught glance of 1.-The cat
Ike animal creeping sealthily along the high stone
the tawny-colored hide told well enough the Character
Of the Intruder. She knew II was panther.
Dolly heart rose into her throat. ana for mo-
ment, as she said aferward, she thought she wol
run as poor Brindle had done hut she was q Mo
neer girl, strong and healthy, and her nerves were
shoulder and leveled II full AZ the tawny breast of the
Cr0uchng panther.
Her ain was taken Instantly. sho saw the green
A-
citedy The next moment the savage sprang to-
ward her. At the same moment her finger pressed
the trigger.
She knew no more until she heard the baylnR OF
the hounds and tile loud cries OF the returning hun
tiers. Her father opened the heavy wooden gate and
came In where she was leaning half fainling against
the wall.
80 am all right now, father, - said Dolly, In re.
Ply TO MS anxious Interrogation, but was kind Of
sick like awhile ago. -
She still looked very pale
1.-THE girl has beat the whole Of us! - cried
rough pioneer ''lt'S the very beast we were
arter. Soc, there's the marks of tho hound's teeth
Well lts saved us u journey Tomorrow; that's q
comfort. Hut you beat the dickens Dolly You do
They all crowded about, Offering congratulations
ana Tor weeks alerward her exploit was the talk OF
the neghbOrhOOd.
The panther proved on measurement to DO one of
lie largest OF the Kind, lacking only an Inch OF being
six feet In length, Including It's tail. The state
bounty was forty dollars, This sum, with what she
realized upon the skim made Dolly quite rich young
lady for those times -hdrper's Young People.
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