New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-17
BE1R And PANTHER.

VENGEANCE FOR THE WRONGS OF KITTEN
HARDWOOD " y July 1.-Two or three nD'h
known Individually ms positively the oldest iii'HioiO
ants Of the county tell stories OF the Vme "n.
the panthers used to haunt these WOODS ana "'"h
desperate hunting story OF disturD"hoe NC
tween bear and panther IS their fhvorit' anu az
each Oldest inhabtant insists upon telling II "heh-
ever n listener heaves in sight. 1t may be SAID 10
be well authenticated.
Two young men in passing near ledge while out
upon deer hunt discovered the entrance to a cave.
Before 1t on the ground were the bones OF d"er
and other animals. Tracks made by panther were
plentiful. They concealed themselves a snort dis
lance away behind fallen log and waited Tor the
animal to either approach the cave emerge from
II.
Soon they heard great gruntIng aud pulling, ac-
companed by squeals and squeaks down in the
cave. The agitated hunters made ready and drew
beads on the mouth Of the cave. Dig Dear cli''''
bered slowly out and sat down on the ground be
fore the cave. One hunter about to shoot from
his ambush, when the other man restrained MIN
for he had observed that the bear had a little
panther kitten In his mouth. The hunters then re-
mained quietly in conccalment and watched the
proceedings.
The bear with crunch Of his Jaws squeezed the
little panther to death and then threw it out upon
the ground Perched upon his quarters, solemn and
diCnfed he watched the las. writings Of the little
panther with all the gravity OF demeanor and close
attention OF scientific investigator. Whom the
little animal ceased struggling, he tapped 1t softly
with his paw and seemed to be cndeavonng to get
IL to wriggle some more. But as the kitten lay
motionless and stf, he turned about and waddled
rather painfully through the aperture into the cave
There renewal OF the gruntings and puifings
squeangs and Squeaking vi hin the cave, and after
a short time the bear rcappeared with another
Kitten in his mouth. The first scene was repeated
The bear after remaining interested spectator OF
the second little panthers last agones, disappeared
again within tho cave and brought the third small
victim. This one. however selling moment when
the pressure Of the bears Jaws lessened. gave voice
terrified little scream. 1t was Immediately
answered by the blood-curdng Of the female
panther some distance away.
The bear at once dropped the kitten II In great dis
may, and shambled awkwardly about in the most in
tense excitement and trepldaion. The little panther
lay on the ground and squcalcd. 1t was answered b.
the roars OF It's mother she hurried TO the rescue
Tho bear, now evidently considering that in his eager-
for scientific investigation he had put himself In
bad fix, cast last desparlng look at the open mouth
Of tho Kitten and then started of in rapid wobblc
In mn opposite direction the from which the cries
Of the she painter proceeded. moment later a
huge panther with blazing yellow eyes and foam
dripping jaws bounded into the open space with every
hair bri sting her awny back. and her 1.-THE limbs
qnvcring and trembling with eageness. The bear cast
look his shoulder and made of faster than ever
The panther began an earnest pursuit, and gained
rapidly.
The benr seeing that the panther was overtaking
him, hastily assembled tree. The panther sprang
into the lower branches, and in second had ripped
two big lunches OF brown hair from the bears back
that animal. in his terror climbed the tree with the
cclcrtV OF a -,hOolbOy He Cfawled out branch,
but the panther followed. The bear was now In ex
trcuhtes. There but one remedy. so he wound
himself up In brown ball and dropped TO the ground
lilo struck with sort Of smash. unwOund himself, and
started on a frantic "lOpe" for safety. But, with two
or three bounds the panther down the tree and
him. She sprang upon the bear. buried her teeth
in his throat. and with her powerful claws tore out
his entraliS. The hunters then shot the panther.
They found that the greater part Of the BEARS hide
literally torn TO ribbons.