The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-03-19

pathetic dismay. and the girls said, with
energy:
"Oh, if that lion would just come
along and eat him uD!"
Her brother Wills face suddenly
frightened. He was a stalwart young
fellow, with broad chest, good
naturcd frecklcd face, and eyes full of
fun.
"By Jinks, Matte, you've hit it pretty
close! I guess we can manage 1T with
Mungo to help. and he'll do anything Tor
nav in watermelons.
The two young men walked toward a
huge colored giant who was lolling IN a
feEcc corner, and as they talked to him
his immense mouth opened In a laugh
which could have been heard half mile
distant.
Tn a few moments he trotted off briskly
up the road, and Will and Matte, having
received their parcels, soon followed,
while Hiram approached the forlorn stage
passenger. ,
"I see you're in fix" he said; "and
as I've got a vacant seat in my buggy,
maybe 1 can help you bit. I'm going
right past the Dodds's place, and can set
you down at the gate as easy as not"
Perkins glanced disparagingly at the
plain, little, mud-bespattered vehicle
dignifed with the name buggy, but con-
descended to accept the offer.
And presently, after some intentional
delay on Hiram's part, they were leisurely
Jogging along the rough country road.
~ suppose you ain't afraid of the
lion2' Hiram remarked, as, after mile
or two, they approached thick wood
through which the road lay.
"Lion! What lion?" inquired Per-
kins, with look of sudden interest.
And then came out the story of the
wild beast which was supposed by some
to be roaming about the Fivc-Forks
neighborhood, seeking whom or what he
might devour.
Perkins looked very much startled,
and glanced cautiously on each side the
road and toward the dusky wood.
81 should think" he faltcred, "that
-aw!-it would not be safe; that
ahem!-pcrhaps we'd better turn back,
as I have no pistols; and, in fact, II
amt used to lions!" =
"Well, we've come about half way
without seeing anything of the critter,
and maybe we might as well go on. If
we once get past that holler down there,
which is the very place where a lion or
painter would choose to hide, 1 shall
feel tolrablc safe. Ihave pistol, and
Jerusalem! what's that2"
From the rocky hollow in front of
them, overshadowed by dense trees, came
at this moment hoarse, ,muttcred sound,
like the growl of wild beast.
Perkins turned very pale, and even the
spider on his scarf seemed to change to
a livid hue and to tremble on its golden
legs.
Before he could say word the growl
had increased to a tremendous roar, and
Hiram, as if terror stricken, wheeled his
horse and drove back at pace which
threatened to jolt to pieces his light
vehicle.
The terrified horse needed no urging,
and Perkins, pale as death and trembling
all over, could barely manage to hold on
to the vehicle with both hands, as it
bumped and bounced over the rough
road.
Hiram's face was very red, and he
seemed struggling to suppress certain
odd gurgling and gasping sounds which
threatened to choke him.
After awhile they turned off from the
main road and dashed into the yard of q
small farmhouse on the edge of the
wood.
1t was Will Owens's home, and he and
one of his brothers rushed to the door,
while Matte, with an apron half hiding
her head and face looked timidly from
the window.
"What's the matter, Hi, for goodness
sake? Seen the lion?"
"Just missed him! May be on our
track now. Quick, Will! help Mr.. Per-
kins into the house, and help me to put
away the horse in the woodshed. We'd
better make everything straight, for
tell you there's something down yondel
in the bottom"
"But, oh, Hiram! if that dreadful
creature comes tonight he can jump ii
at the windows! There are no shut
ters!" cried Matte, wringing her hands.
''Did you hear he had killed Mungo,
who lives in the log cabin near the bot
tom2" said Will. "And if he's once
fixed himself In that place, he'll stay
there till he's hunted out.
OF course there was no question o!
Hiram or Mr.. Perkins leaving the house
that night. About dark, and twice dur
ing the night, the same awful roar was
heard, once so near the house that Per.
kins's blood curdIed with horror and he
nearly tainted.
Others heard it also, and by morning
the ncighborhood was in state of wild
excitement.
No one would venture off their OWL