The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-06-12

lot of bass besides" Dick started
away at once. forgetting all about the
panther in his eagerness. and Mr.. lob
in, Sr., pulling off his big boots. was
about TO light his pipe and enjoy Il
good rest when a shadow darkened the
doorway, and, looking up, he saw be-
fore him the tall, gaunt figure of Tor
petus Van King. an old trapper who
lived some miles back in the heart of
the mountains. He responded to the
tavern-keeper's greeting with Il brief
"Howdy. Jake" and, calling for a
pound of crackers and slice of cheese.
he sat down on the counter and began
to MUNICH them slowly.
Bound fur towu?" asked Jake final
ly."
Yes" said the trapper. with his
mouth fun; ''goin' down fur powder
an shot"
A moments silence, and then Jake
said slowly, with AN injured air: You
can buy it right hyer on the spot. You
ought to patronize home trade, Tor
petus."
The trapper took another bite of
cracker and said slowly: .'Yes, an
DdN 1OE IL ltt ONtI 1lfuCS df
an money is money! and with this
oracul assertion Torpetus slowed the
balan,e of his lunch into his big pocket
and rose to his feet kin I hev a
nights lodgin'?" he demanded
Il 'spose, So" said Jake. Air We
ready ter turn in?'
Yes. l recon | am, fur I'll start
afore daylight"
"Waal, the beds ready. You kin
find yure way. Straight down the
hall, fust door. Mebbe you'll hev a
know, only that small winder up along
the wall"
The trapper secuted the idea of light,
and, hanging his rifle on the deer
antlers over the window. he strobe off
down the hall. Jake heard the heavy
oaken door closed and bolted, and then
he stretched himself out on the bench
to wait for Dick and ruminate at his
leisure on the old trapper's refusal to
patroniZe home trade at loss to his
pocket.
=.
Possum run was a mile or more
down the river from the tavern, and by
the time Dick reached the boat dark
ness was creeping on very fast.
He spent full minute admiring the
fish, which were indeed beauties, and
then started on the return Journey,
pushing the narrow, canoe-shaped boat
rapidly up stream with long pole.
When he staggered up the slope an
hour later, bending under the weight
of the fish, a bri ght light shone in the
tavern window. and from the open
door floated an enticing odor of coffee
and fried potatoes.
His father was busy over the stove.
but he looked up when Dick entered
and asked gruffiy: What kept you
so long? Go clean the smallest bass
and we'll have him for supper. Whose
mule an wagon is that in The shed?n he
added. Seems ter me it looks famil-
lar
20 pap. clear forget to tell you, -"
cried Dick. Luke Carter and Silas
Heck was here while you were away
an they put up the team, and went
across the river, an they left"
Went across the river, did they?n
interrupted the father. why could
MT they put up here, I'd like ter know?
However, it don't matter. fer old Van
King has the extra room. He's on
his way ter town to buy powder an
shot instead of-why, Dick, what
ails you9 You're as pale as a sheet" 5"
20 pap" gasped Dick excitedly as
the situation flashed over him, there's
panther in the back room-a live
panther in box. l was going to tell
you all about it, and"
"A panther in the back room. Why
what do you mean, lad?"
Dick began to stammer out an ex-
PLANTATION, but without waiting to hear
the end his father pulled down his rifle
from the hooks and hurried to the end
of the hall. He tried the door, but the
bolt was showed. More from force of
habit than from necessity the trapper
had made all secure before turning in.
Then he raped gently, calling in a
low whisper, ''Torpetus, air We there?
Git up an open the door"
A drowsy response came from with
in. Then bolt ratified in its fasten-
ings, and as the tavern-keeper shook
the door, puzzled to find it still fast
ened, an angry scream was heard, fol-
lowed instantly by heavy fall and a
scuffiing noise.
20 pap" Dick cried in an agony of
terror, ''he's opened the wrong door
in the dark an the panther's got him. y
old trapper's voice now mingled with
the snarls of the enraged beast.
Jake threw himself against the door,
but it held firm. No use, Dickr' he
groaned. Its too strong for that
Do your best. Torpetusr' he shouted,
loudly. ''And now, Dick he added,
run and try the shutter, while l git up
on the room an open the trap-door.n
Poor Dick hurried with all his might
round to the outside, but the one win
dow that gave access to the room was
tightly barred from within. The house
had been built in time when Indian
attacks were not uncommon, and every
part of it was strong and substantial.
With fast-beating heart he listened for
a brief second TO the loud outcry that
still continued within. and then. as a
voice called loudly, dick. Dick!' ha
pulled himself into big tree that
stood by the house and dropped from
the overhanging limbs to the roof. His
father was standing. Ak in hand. be-
side the open trap, from which came a
succession of furious snarls and a
strange, ripping noise.
I'm afraid its all up with him.
Dick he said. huskily, for I've called
him and he don't make no answer. I'd
go down if l could 60 through the trap,
but-'' he looked ruefully at his mus
cular bulk and then at the narrow door
cut between the heavy beams. Dick
stood still in mute despair. What
shall we do, pap?" he cried. Sudden
ly a daring plan flashed into his mind.
Hold on, pap." he shouted; and
throwing himself into the tree he
dropped quickly to the ground. He
was back in two minutes with a big
coil of rope and couple of resinous
torches, such as are used for deer
stalking at night. He cut the rope in
two with the AK. and fastening one
part with nervous fingers under his