Newport enterprise. [volume] (Newport [Del.]) 1889-1???, 1889-03-02
LADY AND THE PANTHER.


two very good reasons. First, on &C
count of the great heat, which had been
intensely uncomfortable this season,
while the rainfall had been very deficient
In quantity; and, secondly, because of an
almost unheard of visitation, q regular
plague of mosquitoes. The pernicious
culex was of a much larger size than we
have been accustomed to, and their bite
venomous in the extreme, SO that gladly
accepted an invitation from our friends,
the SIS, to visit them at picturesque
spot situated short distance from Khan
dala. This arrangement suited us ad-
mirably, as we had already made up our
minds to proceed as soon as 1 could get
away to Matheran, delightful hill re-
sort, with fine bracing air, situated in
the Ghauts, and which affords an agree
able relief during the hot season to a
large number of jaded Bombay officials
On my arrival at Belle Vista, / found
that some other of SIS friends had
unexpectedly asked to be put up, and
were indeed occupying the spare room
of the bungalow. l therefore insisted
that no change should be made in the
family arrangements on my account,
AT my earnest solicitation / was allowed
to have my way, and take up my quar-
tiers In cool, inviting tent erected about
thirty yards from the house, and which I
found mine host was using as study.
The removal of his books was the work
OF q few minutes and these were quickly
replaced by the necessary furniture of q
bedroom. l soon found everything ar
ranged to my mind, and congratulated
myself upon having secured the coolest
and most delightful sleeping apartment
in the place. The lookout from the door
was one of exceptional beauty. The
moon shone out clear and soft over the
whole landscape before me.
Having done great deal that day, l
was very tired, SO 1 soon prepared for
bed. My little fox terrier Fidget, my
only companion, took up her usual place
at the foot of my bed. 1 crept under the
mosquito curtains and sank into a sound
sleep. In about an hour l was awak-
ened by the growing and barking of
Fidget. looked sleepily up and
thought saw an animal of some kind
standing at the foot of my bed reused
myself a little, clapped my hands and
made q noise. This made the beast
hurry away. 1 turned over and was
once more fast asleep. / was not, how
ever, permitted to enjoy this very long;
faithful little Fidget soon set up fiercer
bark than before. l started up and
shouted, and soon had the satisfaction
of seeing what l now thought to be
either wild cat or q pie dog stink out
through the chink left in the tent. I
must have been very sleepy, as 1 never
for moment thought was in any dam
ger, and again l lay down and went off
to sleep. But my little dog was on the
watch, and for the third time I was
awakened and startled by her loud bark
ing.
This time I became wide awake di-
rectly and by the light of the moon I
caught sight of a big animal standing in
the doorway of my tent had no longer
any doubt as to my midnight visitor; it
was huge panther. Its eyes were
flashing fire, and it was flashing its long
tail furiously to and fro, as if it really
meant mischief. In moment moro it
seemed on the point of making a spring
liz ctilu SOllll III hUuDb bIldU
it was bent on making a meal ON my dog
and myself. in no way, however, lost
my presence of mind, as l commenced
shouting with all my might, which
caused the beast to retreat. He walked
slowly toward the open door by which
he had entered, but only to walk around
the outside of the tent and enter by
another opening, which brought him
somewhat nearer to the bed. | stretched
out my hand and clutched at my candles
and matches and quickly struck light.
This, together with my shouting and the
dogs barking, startled the animal, and
he again disappeared. also took in my
travelling clock, thinking that if the
worst came to the worst, l could at least
give the creature good blow.
l looked at the time to see if it was
near day, and found to my horror that
it was only quarter to 2. felt my
hair would turn gray if sat all night
shouting at a panther every five min
utes; besides, he seemed SO unusually
daring l was not certain that he would
stand such tritiing any longer, SO felt
courage was required, and must either
get help or do something to pass the rest
of the night in safety; but the worst was
had to come out of my protective cur
tains to do so, for tent is such dead
ener of sound knew no one could hear
me from there. So out I jumped, Sc
curing Fidget well under the curtains,
and ran to the brightest doorway, and
screamed first for one and then the other
at the top of my voice, l put my hand
to my mouth; called in every way
could think, but not soul heard me.
The servants were too far away, and
the SIS, whose room looked on my
side, were too fast asleep, with their
windows shut. So made up my mind
/ could stay there no longer, as any
minute felt the beast might return. So
made dash for my dressing gown,
slipped into my slippers, tucked my dog
under my arm, and ran for my life. I'M
fortunately, could not tell where the
animal was, and the dark shrubbery,
with trojan ovarhead Iookad i,,ut tha