Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1892-06-23

the long. smail-bore rife. which WA
for many years the f7vorite weapon Oh
the American backwoodsman. and were
accompanied by a vast pack Of dogs Of
every Possible shape. color and mix.
ture; but they were a determined and
experienced lot of hunters. and in this
Christmas chase evidently intended
ombiuing business with pleasure. and
energy and purpose was in every eve as
they divided into their appointed
companies and set out for the day.
Dulin's cabin was left 10 the care OF
his wife and only daughter. a girl Of
perhaps fifteen years Of age, and soon
after h hunters had started away
Mrs Dulin mounted her riding horse
and set forth 70 visit n n~eighborfn9
matron. living three or four miles dis
tant giving her daughter directions as
10 the care OF the baby, and the prep
aratiou Of dinner at the usual hour. NJ
h expected to return by hat time.
Ssllie Dulin was too well used 10 the
life OF thu woods to fear anything be-
falling her simply because she was
alone in a cabin a mile or two from
the nearest n~eighbor's Everything
vent well. and the dinner va. simmer
ing In the fireplace. the baby quietly
sleeping in it's cradle. and SaIlie her.
self busily knitting at a stocking. when
suddenly she was startled BY a most
unearthly voice from the wousis close
behind the house II was n cry as Of a
maniac in mortal agony: a wild.
quavering. half-human shrek that fair
ly frOze the blood in her veins.
The door OF the cabin stood wide
open. and SaIlie's first move was TO
rush To il and close Il. fastening il from
within with its heavy wooden latch.
There was nc window to the little
house, and although she surveyed as
much of the yard as possible through
suudry places where the '.chinkiny'
had dropped from between the logs
she could see nothing alarming. and, as
the cry was not repeated. she began to
be almost persuaded that she had i'm
agined il all. when again Tat blood
curulIng cry rose. this time close at
hand. and Instantly followed by the
sound Of some heavy body lighting on
the roof. proving that the animal, what
ever ii was. was Of no common activity.
The cabin was rooted. pioneer fashion,
With split ''clapboaris~ held in place
By heavy poles. and the movement of
the animal caused q few Of the clap
boards 10 be displaced. letting light
into the semi-dsrkness Of the room be-
low Sallie had snatched the babe Out
Of its cradle and stood in the center Of
the room. terribly frightened. but
plucky and ready TO fy for safety IL il
became necessary Looking up through
the new made opening in the roof, she
could make out the shape of some huge
gray beast. n n great paw. armed
with terrible claws, striking the clap
boards until they few right and I-ft,
ike chips from the ax Of . skilIful
woodsman-
IL was evident hat the panther. foe
such >allie now recognized the beast 10
be. was determined to enter the house.
so, quickly stepping 70 the door. shs
carefully raised the latch and stood. not
yet daring to go outside. and vet afraid
tn remain too long within. A sudden
slipping of the clapboards under the
panther's feet so enlarged the hole that
he slipped and fell. much TO his sur
prise, rear end foremost. down into the
room. Sallie saw her chance, and n,
the panther came in at the roof she fed
out at the door. with the child in her
arms. and closing the door from the
outside as she ran Once with the stout