The Lamar register., 1893-09-02
sTRuooLE wrrH PANTHER.
froL Dyehe's Hand-to- Hand Combat
Came Near Costing Him Hia LIZ.

NoAr costing Him His Life.
THAT fellow over there came near
taking my life once" said Prof.
Dyche, the taxidermist OF the Kan
sas exhibit to Chicago Times man.
pointing to a mounted panther, one
oil the products OF his skill.
"Ihe way OF it was this: In 'S7
was hunting with an Indian guide in
the wilds OF northern New Mexico.
We generally kept pretty close to-
ge'her and almost always slept in
the same tent On the night in aues-
tion. however. for some reason which
nave forgotten, we thought best to
sleep about mile apart. At dusk
the Indian helped me pitch my tent
and departed with his rife on his
shoulder. | closed the tent as usual.
fastening the opening by means OF
large canvas-covered buttons About
this time | noticed that the side
directly opposite the door had been
torn in some way during the day so
that an aperture was made large
enough for man to crawl through.
But was too sleepy to mend the
rent then, and didn't feel worried
over it-anyhow.
81 spread my blankets, lay down.
and was soon fast asleep. always
sleep soundly for a few hours, and
am wakeful during the remainder of
the night. To this habit | attribute
the fact that | did not long ago be-
come food for that animals digestion.
awakened several times after mid
night Each time all was perfectly
still. and | quickly dozed of again.
But the last time | awoke, although
no sound could be heard. | was i'm.
mediately conscious of the presence
in the tent of some other living thing
than myself
III turned over to see in the dim
light Of the morning what it was
that had startled me. At the same
moment heavy body lighted upon
me. fonder panther had crept
siealthily in at the hole in the tent
wall and had leaped upon nv pros
trste form. Ny turning. however,
had cause him to overshoot his mark
somewhat. and | was thus enabled TO
rise upon my knees before he came
at me again. Then we grappled. l
held his throat with both hands. try
ing to keep him at arms length and
prevent him from rending my bosom
with his sharp claws. 1t required
all my strength to do this, and I saw
plainly that | should soon give out
and that the panther's great endur-
ance would triumph. Unable to
reach any weapon. began to despair
Of saving my life
II shouted. But what good could
shouting do with the Indian fully
mile away? With strength born OF
despair struggled fiercely with the
infuriated beast, who mad by this time
torn my shirt to tatters and inflicted
several wounds on my chest and
arms / was being pushed down. and
! thought that in few moments
more should feel the panther's jaws
on my throat
"At this juncture singular thing
happened. hung my long -barreled
Colts revolver on nail driven in
the center post OF the tent 1t was
my custom to do this. for | consid-
cred that should always have time
20 reach il there. But the suddenness
o, the panther's attack and the
necessity OF at once graphing with
him had rendered it impossible for
me to get my weapon. At last, how
ever, was pushed over, and as luck
would have 1t fell against the cen
ter pole. jarring it to such an extent
that the pistol dropped to the ground.
Exhausted and bleeding. l yet had
strength enough to snatch il IN The
next instant my assailant lay lifeless
at my feet II you measure him you
will find that he is 8 feet 2 inches
from nose to tip of tail"