The morning call., 1893-07-02

which [ had to dodge and / made an at
tempt TO get behind him. | had almost
succeeded and could have done nv work
right there. but nv foot slipped and fell
down, and before l could get to my feet
the panther jumped on me. But in some
get hold of his tail and commenced cash.
ing his hind legs with nv knife. For sew
eral minutes the air seemed in a whirl and
l was all mixed up with my antagonist,
but unable to get in a telling cut. We
fought and rolled over on the ground I'M
I'll | was covered with wounds, but at last
Isaw my chance and plunged my knife in to
the animals stomach and gave down.
ward rip. 1t did the work enough to let
me get up and find the animals heart with
the steel.
II looked at my two victims a moment,
and then started TO awaken the landlord
by Rounding on the door.
suddenly was grabbed from behind
with terrible force, and turning around,
saw that both of the animals had left TO-
dead had got up again and were about to
make short work OF me.
Il had no show this time, and calmly
waited for the end to come Both the
panthers got hold of me and started for
the mountains, dragging me over the
stones and logs as if l was feather; and
the speed they went at seemed like light
ming. had no idea of where | was going,
and didn't care, as | had no hope of escape,
and fully expected TO be taken to the pan
Tiers lair and devoured.
81 was right about the place, because
was soon dragged to a sort of gorge that
had cavern at one end. | was taken to
this place and laid on the ground, and
both my enemies sat and looked at me.
Somehow, l was not hurt very much
and was able to move easily. l made an
attempt to sit up, but was promptly pushed
hoo hut hal low e fta,o
both began to howl, and near by could
hear other bowls that proved to be those
of cubs. The little fellows came out and
wanted to make meal Of me right there,
but were stopped, for some reason, by the
older ones.
what was to be done with me was now
most important question to me. The
old ones did not seem as il thev wanted TO
devour me nor let the cubs do it. But this
the cubs objected to. and commenced on
my feet which were badly bitten before
the old ones could stop them. Then one
of the boldest of the cubs made rush for
my throat. but kept him away with my
arm.
This seemed to anger the old panthers,
for they chased the young ones back to
the cave and then took hold Of me again
and started somewhere.
They went faster than before and it
was not long, although it seemed ages to
me, before was laid down ON the ground.
l opened my eyes and found that was in
front of the door of the hotel. ! looked
again and saw that it was open and that
the pan thers were sitting down watching
me closely. But tho temptation was too
great and L had to seZa tho chance of
escape. although it looked like certain
death.
i made sudden jump and got inside
sne dooi ana closed it after me as the two
oeasts Threw their huge bodies again 1t.
was now safe and commenced calling
the landlord and wondered why be had
not heard the fight. 1t was also evident
that ne had got uD and opened the door.
But no landlord came aud as it seemed to
me had lookedin every part of the house
before gave up finding him and went to
my room where everything was lust as
had left 1t, except that the candle had gone
out; but the fire was burning brightly.
=, wanted TO wash my wounds, and as
there was not much water in the pitcher
on the stand | went out 10 the basin of the
fountain. 1t was most refreshing to let
.he soft cold water fall over my head, and
10 snort time did not feel the least bit
as ~ 1 mad been through such a terrible
sssluspie. l sat down on one of the seats in
sne court Tor some time before going to
peu, put the moonlight, flower trees and
WIG spiasling fountain were not long in
riouuc1ng feeling of drowsiness, so that
slant. 49,
When awoke it was late In the day,
ana the sun was streaming in all around
me. for several minutes I was dnm
founded. and wondered how / had got
into the place where ] was.
1T was the same room In which 7 had
laid down to sleep. but it looked as if no.
body had entered It for hundred years.
| was lying on pile of rubbish, and eysry-
thing around ME was in the last stages of
decay. l got up and went into the court.
but the fountain was dry. and nothing
could be seen but crumblng walls There
was no sign of vegetation, and the trees
and flowers had vanished with the water.
Il was in an awful state Of mind and