The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-04-28
Every person in the company. from

the Oldest to the youngest, fully APP
preciated their double danger. They
knew that that defiant scream came
from a hungry panther-and that it
meant death.
Instantly every young man on the
sleds had his gun to his shoulder
they never went without them in
"those good old days"-peering
sharply among the hemlocks which
lined the road, for the two fiery eyes,
the only part OF the ugly beast which
they expected 10 see in the cloudy
darkness. Failing a shot, they knew
that he would Jump for them, when
they passed under the tree where he
had lodged, when he gave his warn
ing scream. Should he miss, it would
in no wise end the chase, for they
knew that by his huge, vaulting-
springs he could soon forge ahead to
vantage ground in another tree,
The road through which these hap
less young people took their fearful
ride is nearly obliterated now by a
sturdy growth OF young trees, except
the "Three Ledges" around which
the road ran. No trees can ever
cover those cruel rocks. Here was
the fearful climax which must end
such race, even should they keep
together until they reached the
ledges.
In thirty seconds, quick-witted
young Waldo had unhitched his lead
ing oxen and turned them into the
deep snow, hoping that they might
possibly attract the panther. Thus
he obtained also a better chance TO
control the others. BY this time
second scream, more defiant than
the other, rang through the woods.
This second scream came from be-
hind them over through the notch,
and was Immediately answered by
the first, making the poor, trembling
oxen fairly bound with fright, and
sending them off on n mad gallop.
The teamsters instinctively caught
hold OF yoke and horn. Young Waldo
shouted back TO those in the sleds,
Hold on for your lives J"
1t was an almost useless warning.
The young men who had risen were
thrown among those who had not,
their extended guns dealing cruel
blows as they fell. But not word
OF fear or complaint was uttered by
the hardy young settlers, and no
sound was heard for a few minutes
excepts Waldo's and Eddy's shouts in
their endeavors TO check the mad
speed of their teams; yet it seemed
to those in the sleds, as they tossed
and bounded from side TO side, catch
ing and losing their hold upon the
stakes, that the next stump or stone
must certainly wreck them.
Even the panther was forgotten in
their efforts to keep their places, un-
Til the chase was freshly announced
by the united screams Of the panth-
ers, now certainly both behind them.
That the oxen had dstanced them in
their first mad run was plain; but
that gave the unfortunate straw-rid-
ers no hope OF an ultimate escape,
for they could now count by the
screams the rapidly-made jumps of
their pursuers, which were fast clos
ing in upon them.
Waldo's team, though much wind
ed, was running fairly well, through
his timely forethought in turning
loose his leaders; while Eddy, who
had barely time to catch the horn
of his near OK, had no control over his
leaders, which, in their successive
frights at each scream from the panth-
ers, bolted frightfully, adding to their
danger as well rs lessening their
chances OF escape by flight.
1t would seem that the dangers al
ready surrounding the party could
not be increased, but those in the last
sled became suddenly aware that
Waldo's abandoned leaders were in
the road behind them. They recogniz-
ed the danger Immediately, and tried,
by flinging out their free arms and
shouting, to change the course OF the
pursuing oxen, but the poor, terror
blinded creatures plunged straight
on, needing nothing.
There was no time to escape this
new danger, had the occupants of the
sled any strength to do aught but hold
on, and each face turned toward the
end Of the sled-boards. But when
the shock came, it almost seemed
the Providence interfered to save
them, for only one OK planted his feet
over the endboard, while the other
fell with only his big horns and head
inside, where by a miracle they hung,
only to be savagely shaken off by the
neXt StImp or stone
The continually nearing screams of
the panthers showed that they were
still in hot pursuit, and there was n
regretful hope in each mind that the
poor oxen might not be able to rise,
thereby becoming sacrifice for the
Safety of the load of human beings
clinging to the sled.
Not so; for in II moment, just as n
panther sprang from tree across the
road, probably not fifty feet behind
the sled, the oxen were in the road
again and madder than ever with