Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1894-06-28

upon Jne moor ana ned from the cave.
The marshal tried to dctain him long
enough to express his gratitude for his
delivcrance, but he was too weak to
make himself heard, and Rabe passed
out of sight, leaving the dazcd marshal
to solve the mystery of his remarkable
rescue alone.
When he had sufficiently recovered
to regain his feet he struck match,
and on looking around was shocked TO
behold lying, almost at his feet, the
dead bodies of two panthers, either of
which was nearly as large as himself
Both had been shot through the head
by weapon of large caliber. The
floor of the cave was literally covered
with the wool of sheep and the car
cases OF small animals. AS soon as
possible he quilted the cave, and as he
walked fcebly from its entrance he
felt sure that pair of keen eyes some
where not far away were watching his
movements. But he was not afraid OF
their possessor before this terrible ex.
perience, and felt that he had less
grounds to fear him now So, without
appearing to suspect the presence OF
anyone, he went away as fast as posi-
bic.
He soon reached his horse, and there
found his associates, who, fearing that
harm had befallen him, were prepar-
ing to make a search. His injuries
were not serious, and few days rest
at cabin down in the settlement
brought him around all right.
While waiting for his wounds to
heal he was able to learn the other
side of his fearful experience. The old
moonshiner had seen the marshal, pre-.
vious to the attack of the panthers,
and had rightly judged, from the lat
tcr's skulking actions, that an effort
was being made by posse to surround
and capture him. He could have killed
the officer dozen times, but decided
to conceal himself until he passed and
then go on about his business as
though nothing had happened. While
looking around for some place to hide
he saw the cave and slipped into it. He
soon discovered that he was in the den
of some wild animals, but he hid him
self on shelf of rocks, where he
could see the entrance, and; putting his
trusty Winchester in convenient po-
sition, he awaited developments.
He had not been long in this attitude
when he was Mortified to see two
hoa
ing between them the limp and
apparently dead body of the officer.
They had caught up the body by
the clothing about the shoulders,
and were dragging it head foremost.
All the hatred he had borne toward the
revenue raider fed from the breast of
the old moonshiner in the presence of
their common enemies and as soon as
they had laid down their burden he de-
termined to save the unfortunate man
from an awful fate.
He was man of supreme nerve, and
as soon as the panthers got far enough
away from their prey two reports re-
verberated through the grewsome den,
and two PROSTATE and dying monsters
bore witness to his deadly aim. Leap
ing from his hiding place, the old man
hurried to a stream close by, filed his
hat with water, and, returning threw
it into the face of the unconscious mar
shall. This wholesome application had
the desired effect, and he was sitting
up when Davis returned with the sec
ond hatful.
Davis had been born and bred in an
atmosphere where revenue officer
was regarded as the embodiment of
treachery, and as soon as he had killed
the panth ers and revived Ray, he fed,
lest the officer should be ungrateful
enough to try to arrest him. AS he
left the cave he did not fail to pick up
his gun, which he had left at the en-
trance. He hid in the laurels where he
could command view of the cave, and
saw the marshal depart. He followed
him at distance until he reached bis
friends, and then turned back into the
mountains, with a consciousness that
he had done his whole duty by his old
enemy.-Globe-De Democrat