Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-11-30
TOM DEARE'S ADVENTURE.

Few wild animals bear a greater va
riety o! names than-let us give an
incomplete list o: his names-cougar,
puma, American lion, American tiger
and panther, often corrupted into
painter, Indian devil, catamount.
The panther, that is his best name,
has a very extensive range, being
found from Northern New England,
all through both American continents.
lie Is an active climber. His cry is
peculiar, and has often been taken tor
the scream OF woman. There are
well authenticated instances of per-
sons IN dense forests who have bur
ried, rs they supposed. to the rescue
OF n woman in distress, and have not
discovered their fearful mistake until
the fierce animal was upon them.
Ordinarily the panther is a coward
~ beast. 1t sneaks up behind its vic
tim, after the manner OF the lion of
South Africa, and though it often re-
treats rather than engage with an en-
envy, 1t is dangerous foe when
wounded, and occasionally displays
remarkable courage.
There are parts OF pennsylvania
which are almost as wild today as
they were a century ago, when the
shout of the red Indian awoke the
forest echoes, and no settler had trod
the unbroken solitudes. There are
even now, IN one county, "hcks" to
which deer still come in spite OF the
closing in upon them o. the steadily
advancing hosts OF civilization.
Mr.. Wilson Deane is a well-to-do
farmer in the wild region of which /
speak. He has son. Thomas, now
eighteen years old, q bright, wide
awake, good-natured youth, who still
goes to the district school in winter,
and assists his father the rest OF the
wear. He is strong, active boy, and
one of the most skilIlul rifle shots in
that country where good marksmen
are plenty.
Toms grandfather came from Mass
achusetts, but his father was born
where he now live, and both OF then
have thrilling stories to tell OF their
adventures with wild animals.
Like most boys, Tom is tond OF
hunting, and when theiarm work goes
well, he expects a days cunning
once every month or two.
Through corn harvest and potato
digging" last season, Tom Deane's la
Dor had been cheered by the promise
OF one or two days to go deer hunting
about the first OF October. But a
heavy rain delayed the work some
what, and so it happened that he did
not get time for his outing until the
middle of the month. Then he set off
one morning with his rifle, OF the old
jointed- breech pattern, on his shout
der, and with the light spirits which
the prospect of q season OF recreation
after hard work usually brings. But
Tom was destined to have a nemor-
able experience that day.
His father gave him a parting warn
ing, "Look out for yourself, Tom;"
then he added, a little anxiously,
~06n't get lost in the Wooas, and try
and be back before shutdown. don't
like to milk alone"
His mother who was more anxious,
as mothers always are. said, 'Do be
careful, Tom, with your gun, and
90 1,,t ha vunnIG ~
Tom smiled; he was used to this sort
OF caution. That was what his moth
er always said to him. 1t seemed
rather womanish talk. But he loved
her none the less for it.
The click" which Tom intended to
visit first was about three miles dis
tant through wild section OF wood
land. He reached the spot he had Sc
lected, and although the time OF day
was not particularly favorable Tor
the appearance OF deer, he concealed
himself behind some large rocks to
wait for game to come.
He had hardly settled himself IN his
position, when his ear caught the
sound of a peculiar, whirring noise,
which he recognized instantly, and
promptly made the greatest leap OF
his life Turning about he saw large
rattlesnake in coil, his head erect, and
the peculiar vibrant apparatus at the
end of his tail continuously in motion,
giving forth that warning sound, which,
once heard, is forever remembered.
Tom could have shot Off its head
without difficulty, but he was afraid
of alarming the deer which he hoped
were IN the nelghborhood. He, there
fore, hastily opened a bombardment
OF the enemy with stones, and speedily
disabled it.
where you find one OF them you're
likely to find its mate" muttered the
young hunter to himself, and proceed
ed to select another hiding-place, very
nearly on the opposite side OF the
Click"
An hour or more passed with no
signs OF game. Then getting tired OF
his enforced inaction, Tom decided to
90 to another click, one which he had
often heard his grandfather describe,
but had never himself visited. III was
situated, he had been tod, about a
mile farther along the swamp lands,
from which number OF saline springs
ooze up.
He went to the north side OF the
bog, keeping within the borders OF a
long Copse Of laurel which covered the
hill on that side. The little hickory
belt, bet the laurel and the alders,
offered clearer walking, and as the