The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-05-20

He was not an instant too soon, how
ever. for there came another terrific
scream, this time from the tree directly
over his head.
I'm ready for you nowp he cried
coolly sighting another panther directly
between the scintillatng eyes.
He fired and sprang aside, while the
animal fell, struck the ground with q
heavy thud, clawed the earth and all
convulsively for a few seconds and then
lay quite still.
'"This is getting interesting" muttered
Clyde grimly eying the two huge, tawny
bodies, the dead dog and the skulkine
living ones, while he threw fresh wood
upon the scattered fire and peered in
every direction.
"Meowl Meowl Sct-t-t!"
He turned sharply to see the heads CT
| two panther cubs thrust out OF the mole
near the tree. their ears laid close to
their round heads and their eyes sweep
ing the scene in fierce inquiry.
cha, ha! A regular family party I've
stumbled on" laughed Clyde. "S-s-a!
Seek 'em boysl'
And the dogs pulled one kitten out "a
his death, while the other scrambled
back in the hole.
Suddenly there was a slight noise II
the edge of the forest, and two hall
grown panthers came cautiously into tn.
circle of the light, shifting the air ua
easily and evidently afraid of trap.
The smell of the scorched hair and the
binding glare of the fire puzzled them
But Clyde did not wait for them to
become satisfied of the safety of an a.
tack. He fired two shots in quick SUI.
cession, killing one animal and badl}
wounding the other, which the dogs AZ
tackled at once.
When the sharp, short fight was over,
one dog limped back to receive the prais.
of his master, while the other lay deaa
beside its dead foe.
"You and are alone now, Brave, ny
boy" said his master, patting the dog
head 'Well, when daylight come.
we'll see after that little varmint in TIE
hole"
The night passed without further mo
lestation, but Clyde kept the fire burn
ing brightly while he busted himself in
skinning three of the panthers-the on.
which had sprung into the fire beiu-
worthless.
Two were monstrous brutes, male and
female, evidently the parents of TIE
smaller pair as well as the kittens.
After a generous breakfast of roasted
venison he enlarged the hole with hi.
pick and shovel, and, after examiniu
his revolvers, crept in cautiously with
lighted torch, while the dog remain,
outside protesting against such foo
hardy conduct by dismal yelps AM
whines.
The cavity under the spreading root
was deserted, but a larger opening lei
into the rocky mountain side, an&
through this the astonished young man
crept, to find himself in a nature.
cavern.
He soon discovered and killed the kit
ten, but could find no signs of any more
The floor Of the cave was covered with
bones, and a neatly made nest of stick
and leaves was in one corner.
But Clyde did not notice these; be
was examining the rocky sides, which
were of a peculiar veined grayish stone
There was smile of satisfaction on
his face when he had finished this exam
nation, and when he crept forth into
daylight again he muttered, tweaking
Braves ears until the dog yelped in pain
and wonder:
"Queen Bess is mine, Bravel There's
gold enough there to satisfy even George
should say, and claim it as
the panther's bequest."
George Randolf could say no more, a
though he insisted on visiting the pal
theirs den to see for himself.
'Some folks are lucky" he ADMITTED
IF that mine is WORTH
100000 you can have her, for a Randoi
never goes back on his word"
That was only a year ago, and thr
mine has already netted its owner over
$500 600
But he regards as a dearer prize the
loving wife who rules his heart am,
Queen Bess. Saturday Nigh,