The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-06-14
A PERILOUS RIDE.

A PEGllIUUS RIDE.
Along in the early forties some of the
best farms Of today in western Ontario
were still covered with virgin forest, and
the few scattered settlements gave little
promise of ever growing into the -four
ishing towns which now dot the country
Over the rough roads farmers had hard
work to get produce to market. Game
was plentiful in the dense woods, but so
were bears, panthers and wolves-alto-
gether too plentiful at times, and very
little travelling was done after dark.
Among the first settlers of what is now
called the garden of Canada were two
cousins, named Tom Shepton and Hugh
Mallet. Their farms adjoined and they
were the best of friends But it so hap
pened that they both fell i'll love with
pretty Mary Huston, and Tom won her
Hugh was passionate by nature, and he
vowed he would never speak to either of
them again.
Tom and Mary were married one fine
July day and went to keeping house at
once; but though the houses of the cous-
ins stood not hundred yards apart, and
the nearest neighbors were miles away,
Hugh would not look at his successful
rival and wife,
Everything went well with the young
couple until one evening when Mary was
taken suddenly alarmingly ill., 1t was
in the latter part of january; snow
drifts blocked the road to the settlement
where the doctor lived; blizzard had
been blowing for some days, and it was
intensely cold.
The farms of the cousins were about
seven miles from the settlement, and the
most of the way lay through the forest
1t meant at least two, and perhaps three,
hours Of hard work for the best team to
reach it, and Tom dared not leave his
wife. Far from the necessaries of ordi-
nary civilized life, hardy pioneers who
lead the van of progress in the wilds
have to depend much on the good win of
each other.
Tom saw himself forced to ask favor
of Hugh, and much as he dislited to ac-
cept one from man who would not take
kind word from him, he stepped into
his cousins house and told him of his
distress.
Hugh heard him in silence, and then
went out and hitched his team to a cut
ter He piled in heap of buffalo robes
and put six shooter in his pocket.
Then, without word, he drove off, fol-
lowed by the grateful thanks of his
cousin.
The sun had set an hour ago, and the
stars were sparkling and glittering in
the deep blue black sky, but later on the
moon would rise and light the way home.
1t was bitterly cold, and the frigid
gusts of wind stung Hughs face like
cuts from whip lashes. He knew he had
a risky journey before him in going to
the settlement by night.
The winter had been hard one, and
at such times wild beasts begin to hang
around the houses and to prowl about
the roads.
He kept a sharp eye on the horses, for
when it comes to shifting danger horse
can give man points.
They houndered through innumerable
drifts and over many a stump and fallen
tree, but yet made such good time that
il an hour they reached better piece Of
road about two miles from the settle
ment.
Urging the team to trot, Hugh set
tied back among the robes, congratulate
ing himself on the safe and quick trip
they had made.
For a few hundred yards his medita-
tions flowed along uninterrupted, but
when certain low growth Of bushes
was reached, the horses snorted loudly
and reared back on their launches.
Hugh was nearly thrown out by the
sudden stop,
"Get upw he cried,
And as he had no whip. he lashed them
with rope halter he had in the cutter,
! one end OF which was tied to the seat to
keep it from being lost
! Crack crackl went the rope, but the
horses would not move forward. Their
ears pointed right ahead, and they stood
shivering with fright,
Drawing his revolver, Hugh peered be-
yond them in vain attempt to discover
the source Of their scared appearance.
go along" he yelled again. smacldng
the lines on the horses back-"go alongp
Just then they swerved sharply, and &
great, dark body sprang out Of the bushes
and landed right in the cutter.
1t was panther, and 80 sudden and
unexpected was its leap that Hugh ha6
no time to fire. Its great fore paws cams
against his breast and arm, knocking the
revolver out Of his grasp and tearing hall
his clothes off. Its foul, steaming breatl
poured into his face, and the great, glis
tening fangs were not six inches from hii
throat
the horses had bolted, and before tht
panther could do any further damage tn,
violent iolting Of the cutter threw it of
bis chest.
Hugh grabbed the only weapon a
hand-the rope halter--and struck wildly
at the big brute. BY lucky chance thi
moose slipped oven its head and as Hugl
Fried to strike again the halter frightened
around its neck
A fearful struggle began Gathering
up the buffalo robes, Hugh sought Il
protect himself from the wildly clutch
ing claws Of the infuriated panther ant
10 push it off the cutter.
As the frightened horses galloped along
at full speed over the rough road, th
cutter swung from side 10 side, bump
ing and smashing against the trees
Every minute threatened 90 bring abou
/ 9 collision which would dash it 10 pieces