Nevada County picayune., 1886-08-04
SAVED BY A PANTHER.


 spend the long evening before us, l will do so on one condition. Each must try his hand on it when l get through"
 We were weather bound nt a rude Western inn, almost upon the verge of civilization. The day just passed had been a stormy one, and we had got through it as best we could. Now, as the darkness came on early, and the long even. ing loomed up before us, we gath. cred about the roaring fire of huge logs which burned bravely upon the hearth, and prepared 10 pass it away by story telling-a device by which travellers in our situation are always prone to resort.
 The mah who had been appealed to was q person of about fifty years of age. who had followed the 0ccu, patton of peddler. He had the best turnout in the stable that part of the country had ever seen in his line, though he told us that he had carried Il pack for years on his back. But by his own exertions and industry he had risen above that now, and had snug sum laid mp against the time when he should give up the business, and take the remaining years of his life in an easier way.
 We gave our consent to his con ditions and he at once commenced his story.
 "lt is now nearly fifteen years ago that the adventure beftll me which am about to relate. It was before gave up my pack for a horse and cart, though l had al ready made mp my mind that l could afford it. 1 was travelling through a wild section of the coun- try--wilder, if possible, than this around here. Between the settle mcnts there were forests filled with wild beasts, and now and then you came on a band of rowing say ages. Beside these, there was the usual class of williams, horse thieves, and rencgades, who would not hesitate 10 take q mans life il they thought it would be to their advantage to do so.
 "One night 1 stopped at tavern which stood in the midst of a little settlement of not more than dor en log houses. [ had been the round of them and drove what bar gains could and in the morning l was to go out at as early an hour as possible, for I learned that l had nearly a score of miles to go before l should reach the noXt set clement.
 "In the evening there were as sembled in the bar.roOm all the male citizens of the place, and among them there was one whom l at once set down as a william. His looks plainly showed there was little he would not hesitate to do if in the end there WAS anything to gain. Again and again l caught him looking at my pack, which l had placed in one corner ot the room. near tho bar; and at once [ felt that he was looking at me tO calculate whether or no l should be dangerous antagonist in case he should rob me of it. The more 1 saw of him the less l liked his looks, and l felt relieved when at last he left the room for home.
 Il was up heumes the next morn ing, and as soon as l finished my breakfast I started. As l left the settlement behind me, l could not thelp glancing about to make sure 1 the man of whom l had formed so poor an opinion was not follow ing me; but he was not to be seen Hardly anyone was stirring out o' doors, and there was little life cx' cept about the tavern, or where the white smoke curled up above the roof of each cabin.
 ] "Once within the forest hurri' ed on, desiring to put as great q distance as could between me and the settlement in as little time as possible. A feeling of danger oppressed me, which l found it i'm possible to shake off. l am not naturally timi>f or given to presen' 1 timents, as many are,' but on this occasion thera was sort of fear upon me of which ! coqld not rid myself, try as Hard as l might. :.
 "All the morning kept on this way, and by noon felt that had