The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-07-21

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THE beast seems safe enough" he
said. Il can't well refuse, CARING, be
caase you've sent me more than one
haunch of venison. The boys can take
charge of the panther as far as Colum.
bia, if they wish l don't want them
to have the key in their possession,
though"
The trapper was profuse in his graft
tude.
"As fur the key" he added. "I'll
send that to New York in letter, and
the cage can't be opened till it gifts
there
Well, this settled the question, great
ly to our delight. Eight men carried
Spitfre's cage aboard the raft and
stood it up against the end of the ca bin.
The trapper handed me four silver
dollars.
Buy fresh meat with two of 'em
when you tie up at nights" he said.
'You kin use the rest fur the freight
If the express company IL ship the
beast better, let 'em do it."
During the first two days Spitfre was
sulky and little cowed He seemed
to realize the oddity of his position.
His appetite was good, however, and
Mel and took keen delight in watch
ing him devour the chunks of raw
meat. Grubb was constantly in good
humor, but Hackett and Fosdyke
seemed to resent the presence of the
beast, and were inclined to vent their
ill-feelings on us. l suspect that our
promised reward had something to do
with it. But by the time we reached Lock
Haven their surliness had worn off, and
they began to treat us in spirit of
good-comradeship. Mel and / found
life on board the raft almost as pleas
ant as we had pictured it. By day
there was always something to be seen,
and occasionally we were allowed to
take turn at the sweeps. In the even
ing, we sat around the cabin stove,
listening to tales OF adventure mar
rated by our companions. We We're
always hungry for Grubb's palatable
and well-cooked meals.
Owing to the windings of the river,
the current was none too swift, and
forty miles was fair days run. Early
on the morning of the third day we
passed Williamsport, and that evening
we tied up a few miles below Lewis
burg. Spitfre had been snarling and
yowling al day, and he screeched with
fury when we dropped his supper
through the trap-door; and his eyes
shone like huge yellow diamonds. In
Ia ho
pered, and we were almost afraid to go
near the cage.
About nine o'clock the raft passed the
mouth Of the North Branch at North
unberland, and we were on the main
river. A little later we ran the shute
Of the big dam below Sunbury. The
river had fallen somewhat, and to navi-
gate safely required constant care and
We made better speed than usual that
lay. BY eight o'clock in the evening
we were at Clark's Ferry, forty miles
below Sunbury. The raft was moored
1ot far above the big dam. Mel and
hurried into the village. We found a
shop open and purchased half
OIL raw meat.
Spitfire welcomed our return with a
screech, and yowled like
In angry cat all the time he was eating.
The outcry brought crowd of village
Boys to the raft, and they became so
that Hackett was compelled
@ drive them off. They shouted insult
ng names at US from shore, and threw
! few stones. When aackett started
tfter them with club they fed into
he darkness
Occurrences of this kind were com
non, and we thought no more of it.
about ten o'clock we hauled in the
blank, and went to bed. Nothing less
han gunshot had power to rouse the
nen when once they were sound
sleep. During the night l was wax
ned by a wailing cry from Spitfire;
,ut the sound ceased, and l dozed off
gain.
/ had forgotten the incident by morn
ng, but it was recalled to me when we
anne 10 feed Spithre. The balance of
he meat was missing. 1t had been
placed under 4 wooden bucket, near the
ear end of the raft.
1t was impossible to buy more until |
for the raft was already
through the shute of the dam and glid- |
ng rapidly down mid-channel.
Them young rascals must "a waded !
N board last nightr' exclaimed Hack
TT. Il reckon they fed meat to the
'armint. wish I'd got awake stead
, you, lad. 1t can't be helped now,
hough. The crittur must bide without
atm till evening""
AS the raft drifted on through the |
'erilous channel that extends for some |
niles below Clark's Ferry dam, Spit
ire began to realize his neglect. He
owled in sullen rage from time to
ime, and paced restlessly up and down
is cage.
Presently Dauphin loomed into view
n the LETT shore. and a quarter Of /
nile ahead We're seen the ruined piers |
f the old railroad bridge. Hackett |
an forward to sean the chanpel, and |
houted back instructions to his COM
anions.
When Mel and l had finished our
ask, we stepped around the corner of
he cabin. hoping for chance to assist |
t the sweeps The raft was just glid-
ag between the second and third piers
f the bridge, with little room to spare
n either side