Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-11-30

Tom rushed forward with an invol-
untary shout OF elation. He saw at
once that the ball had passed through
the bucks body.
Good shCt," said he, and admir-
ingly patted the stock OF his old rifle.
The deer was plainly at It's last
gasp. Tom knew that the shot must
have frightened all other game within
hearing, and accordingly made the
mistake which many another hunter
has made, OF not reloading his piece.
He set the rifle down, drew his knife
and proceeded to kill the deer, and
to consider how he could best dress it.
First be cut ''gambrel' stick, and
then with cord which he had brought
along in the pocket OF his coat, set at
work with considerable exertion. for
the deer was fat and heavy, to draw
1t up to the limb Of a hickory prepar-
atory to skinning and drawing. His
plan was to take home one hind quart
er wrapped up in the hide. and come
back next day with his father for the
rest OF the meat.
Tom was not skilful butcher, and
made clumsy and slow Job of it,
After hall an hour of hard work he
was not nearly done with his urpleas-
ant task. Suddenly he heard behind
him, d curious, fitful beating on the
dry leaves and ground. Engrossed as
he was, and quite unmindful of dan
ger, he threw careless glance over
his should er.
Careless, but Tor one moment onlvl
For his eyes tell on a spectacle fit to
appal even g. veteran hunter. Not
over fifteen feet away crouched a
panther of the largest size, it's ears
set back, and its fiery eyes, like gilt
terlng metallic balls, fixed upon him,
its claws working in the earth, and it's
long tail switching nervously from side
to side.
A few steps behind it another pan
ther, also of huge proportions, IN a
half-sittlng posture, snuffed and gloat-
ed over the rich repast whose odor
was waited to his nostrils.
And there lay Toms unloaded rifle
twelve or fifteen feet away, between
him and them
Obeying his first impulse, he ran for
life into the alders, and SO onward
through the swamp, his reeking knife
still in his hand, nor did he once pause
till he had reached the ledgy hillside
beyond 1t. Here pausina for mo-
ment, half expecting to see the Zero
clOus creatures close upon him, he
plainly heard loud growls from across
the bog whence he had fled.
The panthers were ieasting, QUAR- ell
loIv
quet, with which Tom had involunta-
rily provided them, and after the first
paroxysm of his fear had passed the
young hunter felt not little chagrin-
ed at his loss, and the sorry story he
would have to tell his father and
grandfather.
He remained there, listening, for
long time Occasionally the growing
was renewed, then after a while it
ceased. Still Tom sat on the ledge
listening, waxing more impatient and
angry about his deer every minute.
At last, hearing nothing more OF the
growing. he concluded tnat the pan
theirs had eaten their fill and gone
away. If he could recover his gun,
and carry home the bucks antlers in
evidence of his rather improbable
story, even that would De better than
going back empty handed. So, after
waiting a long while, he stole back
across the swamp and through the al
ders, listening after every step as he
drew near the place.
Coming at lass in sight OF the spot,
he saw nothing OF the panthers. They
had pulled down the carcass, and ap-
parently eaten all OF it, except the
bones, which he could see, together
with the antlers, lying near.
He crept along, and after some time
drew near on tiptoe. Feeling pretty
sure now that the marauders had
gone, with last look all around he
stepped forward and picked up the
skull and horns.
Just then, quick as flash OF light,
both panthers alighted on the ground,
one on each side o. him.
They had been lying CrOuched low
behind a log, among some lodges only
a few yards away, and no doubt had
been watching every step OF MS APP
proach.
The boy uttered an involuntary
shrek, ana clutched his knife; but the
panthers, instead of springing upon
him, merely crouched, glarlng up INTO
his eyes, so near that he could have
kicked them had he dared. There
they lay, their eyes fixed on his fsce!
For some unaccountable reason
though it may have been because they
were well stuffed with deer meat, they
did not seem disposed to attack him.
At any rate they were in no hurry to
do go, but laying there, each dong
lust as the other did. Each seemed
to be trying to stare poor Tom out
of countenance. Meantime the boy,
half paralyzed with fright, could
even imagine that they were grin
ming horribly at his expense.
Trembling so violently that he
could hardly stand he remained
motionless for what seemed an age,
not daring to move hand or foot.
So long as he stood still, the brutes
lay crouched and did not move. At
length, unable to bear it a moment
longer, Tom drew back one foot, his
left, then his right, very slowly. But
the two panthers wriggled along on
the ground. Just as far as he moved,
keeping their glowing eyes fixed on his
face, and each doing exactly as did
his mate.
The moor lad knew not what to do;
every moment he expected that they
would spring upon him, and tear hlm
to pieces. Then after another long
tremulous pause, he backed off Jew
steps more. Again the sportive brutes
Il l. 20