The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-31
CHAPTER VI.
u THE CAVE.

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Grey In q moment Of time, as he faced
the new foes which 30 strangely con.
fronted him.
"A psnther's den, " he muttered grimly.
~Quick, Inez! Miss Tracey get behind
me-"
q With q low cry Of dismay and dread
the girl glided to the side Of the cave.
The panthers had advanced so as to
cover the entire exit from the cave, and
tcrouching there, they glared ferociously
at the startled intruders
Darrell saw that terrific combat with
the infuriated brutes was imminent and
unickly drew his knife and placed him
self on the defensive.
Inez, shuddering and shrinking be.
hind him, stood fascinated at the terrible
pose Of their new foes.
For the next few moments the scene
was one Of intense int rest and silence,
broken only by the low, ominous growl-
ing of the panthers-
Slowly, steadily they began to circle
toward their inter Led victims, their
fanss showing hideously, their eyes glar-
ing with horrible ferocity.
Suddenly one Of them made spring.
It was only to receive shot from the
revolver which Darrell had drawn.
The weapon contained but one cart
ridge. As he noticed that the bullet had
barely wounded the beast, but driven it
to temporary retreat, Darrell flung the
revolver to the ground.
Then, alone and armed only with the
knife, he stood at bay.
Again the fierce brutes crouched for
Thfo finnn nf fhpD
boldly upon Darrell
The others circled around close at the
side Of the large animal, while Darrell
piled the knife vigorously.
Inez had recoiled in terror as she wit
messed the attack Of the panther. AS
her foot stumbled ever some object on
the ground she seized it.
IAN AK" she murmured, cleft here by
some hunter or Indian. ! can help him
now"
She summoned all her courage as she
saw that Darrell Grey was engaged in a
terrible struggle with the panther. The
ax in her hand, the intrepid girl hasten
cd to the aid Of her imperiled friend.
The three panthers now entirely sur
rounded Darre!, harassing him on every
side Inez lifted the ak. 1t descended
with all the force Of her frail arm upon
the head Of one of the attacking ami
mails That strength. however. was
sufficient to send rne puljns- 70 the
ground with q howl of pain. She fol-
lowed up the attack. One Of the pan
theirs had already been dispatched by
Darrell and lay dying on the floor OF the
cave.
A second blow OF the ak killed one Of
the remaining ones, but the larger ami
NAL clung to Darrell, endeavoring to tear
his face and hands The knife de.
scended at last in a vital spot Of the
panther's frame, and it fell dying at
Darrels feet
1t was all he could do to stagger to the
open air, weak with the loss Of blood
and exhausted from the terrible struggle
In the cave.
Inrz bent over hin w:en anslous. so-
licitous eyes
aYou are not seriously injured?' she
asked, in "a tfemulou5 tone.
"No; only few trifling bruises"
Within half on hour Darrell was fully
recuperated.
1--WE will try to leave the gully" he
said.
"By the way we came?' Inquired
Inez.
mo; fear our enemies might be in
the vicinity Of the canyon"
"But there seems to be no outlet this
way"
aThen we will remain here until
night"
1T was late in the afternoon when