Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-08-14

Il 'spose, so, said Jake. Air ye
ready ter turn imp
Yes. | recon | am, fur I'll start
! afore daylight"
WAL, the beds ready. You kin
find yure way. Straight down the
hall, fust door. Mebbe you'll hev a
candle, Torpetus; thar's no light, you
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 trappers refusal to
patronize home trade at a loss to his
pocket.
Postum 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,
lhC AclLi wv, Cd1Oc-SIdD DOdU
rapidly up stream with long pole.
When he staggered up the slope an
hour later, bending under the weight
of the fish, bright light shone in the
tavern window, and from the open
door fioated 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?"
interrupted the father. why could
MT they put up here, I'd like ter knowP
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 you? You're as pale as a Sheet
20 pap" gasped Dick excitedly as
the situation flashed over him, there's
a panther in the back room-a live
panther in box. | 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
low whisper, ''Torpetus, air We there?
Git up an open the door"
A drowsy response came from with
in. Then a bolt ratified in it's 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
scuffiing noise.
30 pap" Dick cried in an agony of
terror, ''he's opened the wrong door
in the dark an the panther's got him.
The uproar suddenly increased, the
old trappers 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. IFS too strong for that.
Do your best, Torpetusn' he shouted,
loudly. And now, Dick" he added,
run and try the shutter, while | Git up
on the room an open the trap-door.'
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 a time when Indian
attacks were not uncommon, and every
part of it was strong and substantial.
With fast-beating heart he listened for
brief second to the loud cutlery that
voice called loudly, Dick! Dick!'' he
pulled himself into a big tree that
stood by the house and dropped from
the Overhanging limbs to the poof. 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 it's all up with him,
Dick, > he said, huskily, for I've called
him and he don't make no answer. I'd
90 down if could 90 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 daring plan flashed into his mind.
Hold on, papn he shouted; and
throwing himself into the tree he
dropped quickly to the ground. He
was back in two minutes with q 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
arms he made running moose on the
end of the other.
"Now, pap" he said bravely, ''let
me 90 down through the trap quick,
and light that pine torch for me. The
panther won't touch me when I'm car
rying fire, an can slip the rope over
his head just as easy as anything.
His father hesitated. at won't do,
Dick. I'm afraid it's teo late anyway.
Well have to smash that door in with
log"
Just then faint cry for help came
from the darkness below. ''Do your
best. Torpetus," he shouted down and
then, laying hold of the rope he
whispered: go ahead then, Dick.
When you boiler I'll jerk up" The
torch was speedily fired and Dick was
lowered through the trap with the light
in one hand and the noosed rope in the
other. 1t was situation in which a