The Dillon tribune., 1886-09-03
Ehe 1ilon Gribn'tt.
A NIGHT IN THE WOODS.

elbow in the world do people endure
life in large cities, shut up in Offices or
counting rooms like evergreen canaries
in their miserable little cages? should
die. know should. could not conc,
go or stay, just as fancy inclined Inc.
For my part, want liberty; must have
liberty, too"
'Raise row, and risk your life accord
ing to your own free WILL" interrupted
tho listener, looking up at the face of his
friend, as he stood with features beaming
with enthusiasm. and rifle in hand, ready
to start out upon the trackless prairie i'll
search Of game, adventure or anything
else that promised excitement.
''No, John, you wrong me. y replied the
first speaker. 81 am IL civil sort of a.fel.
low and don't want any trouble with
mankind in general, but do like to he
one of u party sent out to look after the
'hostiles,' and if there's any scout
ing to be done want to go, and the more
dangerous the service the better like it;
but in the absence of anything better
can 90 into the territory upon hunting
expedition. and sometimes l find en-
element enough in one day to last me
whole week.
The tract of land lying next 10 the
southern line Of Kansas, known as the
Cherokee strip, is unoccupied by either
whites or Indians, with the exception ct
few cowboys, left there to watch the
large herds of cattle pastured by white
men upon this portion of the government
land. And as this region is well waterea
and ti,nLerel, with an abundance of the
finest pasturage, with so few to modest the
game-the woods are literally alive with
nfrlo
turkeys, ctc.-Indian territory has been
correctly styled the garden of America.
The climate is mild, the soil fertile and
adapted to all kinds of fruits, vegetables
and grains raised in any part Of the tenn
perate zone, and the fact that it has an
abundance OF timber, on which the south
ern and western portions of Kansas are
almost entirely destitute, gives it IN ire
sistible fascination for settlers along the
line, and hunters go from the state with
in the territorial limits to revcl i'll this
tempting wilderness. 1t was from this
region that our young friend, Joseph
Williams, had just returned, and we will
let him tell the story of his adventure in
his own words.
ut was in December, but the grass was
still green in the woods, and the squirrels
were yet engaged in the work of boarding
up the vast treasures of walnuts, hickory
nuts, acorns, ETC., which literally covered
the ground.
1.-THE nights were cool and frosty, and
the days warm and clear, and mentally
decided that it had the finest climate Of
any portion Of America. I built u little
log cabin in which to stay nights, and
never failed to bring home as much game
as could carry. But shooting deer and
turkey was too tame; wanted to come
across some game that had fight in it, and
came very near getting my wish. had
gone greater distance than usual one
day, and night overlook me when was
about four miles from the cabin.
II had been tramping around all day,
and, feeling fatigued, began to look for
a suitable place in which to pass the night
without returning to the cabin. found
the roots. and the cavity made in the
earth was filled with dry leaves, evidently
drifted in by the eddying currents of the
wind.
"'What capital place to sleep" 1
thought, and, standing my rifle against q
tree, kindled fire, broiled some quails
for my supper, and after satisfying my
hunger l lay down upon my leafy bed,
with my revolver under my head, and was
soon in u sound and restful slumber.
Several hours must have elapsed when I
was awakened by feeling a warm breath
upon my cheek, accompanied by smut
fling sound.
I'm moment was fully aroused and
became conscious Of the fact that some
large animal was standing over me.
could see the greenish eyes just above my
face and discern by the dim starlight the
outlines of q powerful frame, while the
snufiing and smelling about my face con-
WINGED me that the beast was trying to
discover the nature Of the intruder, for
the thought flashed across my mind that
had taken possession of this creature 8
lair.
"And was equally anxious to know
what animal was thus attempting to make
my acquaintance. Surely that powerful
frame could belong to no other than the
great scourge of the wilderness, the Amer
lean panther. and was completely at his
mercy; the least movement ON my part
might cause him to seize me by the throat,
and with heart beating audibly, lay per-
fectly quiet awaiting the conclusion Of
the examination. 1t seemed as if he
never would he satisfied, but at length hi
paused, stood still for moment, then lay
down end curlcd himself up by my side
evidently reconciled to having me for u
be(fellow.
~ remained motionless until thought
he was asleep, then cautiously reached fol
revolver, but at the first movement the
beast uttered Il low growl aud placed his
huge paw upon my arm. Again l lay
quiet, and after q few moments he laid his
head against my shoulder, and again went
to sleep. I dared not stir: the nav
upon my arm was as large as my hand
drawn back SO as not to pierce the flesh
rs long US l remained motionless, but the