The Dillon tribune., 1886-09-03

astonshed ut the proportions which he
had attained.
1.-The great paws were fully as large as
my hand, and he placed his forefeet upon
my breast and began licking my face,
while l fairly tremblcd least the great
rough tongue should draw blood. for at
the instant of tasting it knew he would
become ravenous for more, but 1T length
he turned from me and commenced eating
a turkey that l had LETT lying by tie
smouldering camp fire, still keeping an
eve upon me. l thought, perhaps, he
might become sufficiently absorbed to en-
able me to reach my revolver. but at the
first movement of my hand lie dropped
the turkey and looked at me with groWl.
IF that was only enough to satisfy his
hunger l would probably be safe for
time. ut last, but whether it would nc
sufficient CT not Wa; Il question. jle
finished it ut last, and came back WITHIN
four feet Of me and lay down with BIS
head resting upon MS paws. like /; .sr:a:
watch dog, and looked at me with his
savage. green eyes. lie will surely go to
sleep now thought, and it he would
only relax his vigilance for an instant
could obtain possession of q revolver, but
lust as began to think that discovered
signs of droTsiness he started up, and
with eyes fixed and ears erect, stood for q
moment in /; listening attitude, and set
thing back upon his launches, he gave ut
terance to that horrible. blood curdlin.y
shrek that only Il panther can utter. 1t
is like the wailing voice of Il woman in &
prolonged cry OF agony, fear and despair.
1.-The cold chills went rioting through
every fiber Of my being, while my heart
stood still in terror. and my breath came
in painting. gasps, as Il similar cry came
ecicing in the distance. and l knew that
the beast was calling hi; mate FROM the
forest. had read with unbelief Of saw
age animals rescrvirG Il feast for the COM
ing of mate. but now all doubts v;lil-
ished from my mind. l would have given
all my earthly possessions to have he'd 6.
revolver in my land. but the beast seemed
excited and sioubly visilunt now, and
walked back and forth past me with every
expression of Joy and satisfaction in his
looks and actions.
II knew that he intended to let me live
until her coming, provided that l 1e-
manned peaceable. but the least show of
resistance would cause him to spring upon
me and fasten his awful teeth and claws
in my flesh; but there would soon he two
to fight.
my head rested in an elevated posi-
ton, and emerging frcm the trees saw
the female panther approaching with
long, cat-like bounds, eagerly Fastening
to join her expectant mate. He paused
for a moment, and gave utterance to I.
low, whining sound. then walked 1, few
PAGES toward her.
"With all the energy of sudden hope
dashing through utter despair, seized
the revolvers, and, rising to II sitting posi-
ton, awaited their coming.
II was not long in suspense. He
trotted joyfully up to me, with her at his
side, with hungry and expectant look in
her savage eyes that made my heart stand
still. waited until they were within six
feet of me, and, although trembling
violently, I began to discharge the re-
vOlvers. The first ball struck against one
Of her enormous fangs and glanced off,
another shattered his lower jaw and
caused him to hesitate, and before he
could recover two more had entered his
head, and the female, enragcd by her
pain, crouchetl for G. spring and received
three more balls from the revolver,
which, although too light to kill, had the
effect of diverting their attention until
could spring to my feet and grasp my
rifle, and all instant later two well
directed shots brought them to the
ground in the commissions OF death.
II started for home that day, and II
was more than a month before felt the
desire for adventure of any kind.'
lsADoRE ROGERS.