Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-02-21

But that night it set in to snow, and
the morning air was thick with whirl.
ing flakes. IT was late in the afternoon
before the storm ceased. Then Uncle
Silas, much to the alarm of his hostess
and her family, tied up his bundle pre-
paratory to departure.
In vain they urged him to stay. The
snow, the cold, the coming night, each
seemed a sufficient reason why he
should tarry till morning. All the
stories of the fierce beasts depreda-
tons, magnified by fear and much tell
ing, were poured into his ears by the
anxious woman and her disturbed hus-
band.
Uncle Silas listened patiently, but
only shook his head at each new en-
treaty. He had heard too much of the
beast from trustworthy sources to
doubt its presence near the village. But
he was a brave man, and held steadily
to his purpose.
"But why go tonight" urged the
woman, desperately.
81 don't quite know, sister," he said,
slowly. "Those poor Hawkins chill
dren, over the mountain, with their
drunken young father, have been on my
mind all day. Perhaps l have call to
go. Anyway, we are safe in the Lords
hands, day or night; and don't fear
the catamount."
So he started on his lonely tramp
over the mountain.
The road to Dayton slSirted the base
of the mountain for several miles be-
fore it turned gradually and tried the
ascent. Soft snow made travelling
difficult on this rough road; and it was
almost dark before Uncle Silas turned
his face upward to the hill that lay be-
tween him and his nights rest. On the
left the steepled spruces stood out dark
ly against the cold winter twilight. On
the right the woods were already
gloomy with shadows
There was one place on this road that
every belated traveller was glad to leave
behind him-a deep ravine near the
summit of the ridge. Ten feet from
the edge of this ravine high shoulder
of rock followed its general direction
for so yards or more. Between these
two the road ran, shrinking close to the
friendly rock.
A stout railing of logs gave one in the
dangerous place certain sense of Sc
curity. Leaning over the railing the
traveller could see the dwarf pines cling
ing to the cliff side. 1t was always
cold and damp in the ravine below; and
at times the rush and gurgle of n
brook came family upthrough the low
tree-tops.
Now, in the gathering darkness, Uncle
Silas quickcned his steps unconscious
ly. But he was still some distance be-
low his place when, from the woods ON
his left, fierce cry broke sharply on
the twilight stiffness.
For a moment the horrible screech
seemed everywhere, echoing along the
mountainside, penetrating the ravines,
Then, in the Stiffness, the old man stood
breathless, listening, while the stories
he had heard of the panther crowded
upon him, and chill that he could not
repress spread slowly down his spine.
The cry was repeated; it seemed
now in the path below him. There it
was again, and nearer! The beast had
scented and was following him.
At first the hopelessness of escaping
such a brute overpowered him. He
hesitated, as if he would meet the dan
ger where he stood. What use to run
from creature that could overtalle a
deer in such snow? How hide from
eyes that still saw clearly as twilight
deepened?
But the habits of the old preachers
life were stronger than any danger.
He lifted his face in a swift, mute
prayer; then dropping his bundle and
grasping his old umbrella, he bounded
up the path toward the summit. There
the forest ended, and the panther could
not leap unseen upon his shoulders
from some oyerhanging limb.
Long years Of constant travelling Lad
given Uncle Silas hard muscles and i'm
mense endurance, though he was a
small man. He needed these quail
ties now as he struggled against the
snow and the steep incline. But the
same causes impeded the panther also;
and when next the sharp scream cut
the air it seemed no nearer than be-
fore.
The old preacher had been running
five minutes,perhaps, when he emerged
from the dense shadow of the woods.
The open road was before him, and
the log railing that bordered the preci-
pice. The path was level here, and he
made better speed, though he turned
frequently to see if his pursuer was in
sight.
But what meant this dead stiffness
Had the panther given up the pursuit
when it found the bundle and the
meager lunch it contained? Or did this
silence mean only it's fierce determine
ton to give no strength save to mighty
bounds on Uncle Sis track?
The question had scarcely crossed
his mind when it was answered. A
frightful yell of savage triumph rang
from the ledge above him. He had been
circumvented. As he leaped back in
stinctively, the panther threw himself
down into the path--into the very
tracks his victim had left in the Snow
as he jumped away.
For an instant they faced each other
silently; the beast crouching low on
its closest feet, with ears back, and
tail switching violently; the man mo-
tionless, with eyes fixed on the green
spots vaguely luminous in the deep
shadow of the ledge.
Swiftly the remembrance of the