Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-03-12
hands, day or night; and l don't fear

over the mountain.
The road TO Dayton skirted 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
" 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 a 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 a certain sense OF Sc
surity. 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 a
brook came family up through the low
tree-tops.
Now, in the gathering darkness, Uncle
| Slas quickcned his steps unconscious
| ". 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 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 nearerl The beast had
scented and was following him.
AT first the hopelessness Of escaping
such brute overpowered him. He
hesitated, as if he would meet the dam
ger where he stood. What use to run
from creature that could overtake
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 panthercould |
not leap unseen upon his shoulders
from some oyerhanging limb.
Long years of constant travelling lad |
given Uncle Silas hard muscles and inn
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 IL contained? Or did this
silence mean only its fierce determine
ton to give no strength save 10 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
circumyented. 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
piC DcuSt tiOd'HIlk low vi |
its close-set 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
bear and her cubs came back to Uncle
Silas j just as the snaky shadow
ceased its motion, and the spots glowed
seeming enlarged.
Boo! Scat, you brute! Roo!
'cat!" he shouted, fourishing the
umbrella above his head
A savage snarl answered him; but
he shadow was again in motion; the
'pots seemed growing nearer.
Slowly Uncle Silas backed away,
'honting and waving his poor weapon
The panther followed steadily, creep
ng through the snow without ever TAX
ng its eyes from the old mans face
Whenever he stopped shouting or re-
axed his threatening demonstrations
or an instant, the fierce eyes seemed
'nlarged, and the beast crouched low
or its spring.
Uncle Sis legs touched the railing
rs he backed away. He knew the path