The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-08-13

| did so. To her horror, looking up into
| the tangled foliage, she per, eived a
| huge panther. stretched. crouching,
| upon an extended bough. apparently
ready to spring. Probably the brute
had only then observed Basil. for now,
upon his mothers approach, it hesitat-
Ell to attack. lashing its tawnY sides
| with its tail. as if to work itself into Il
state of greater fury.
What was to be done? \ weak wom-
an was powerless against the strongest
and tiercest denizen of the New Eng
land woods
Scarcely knowing what she did. the
poor mother seized her child and turned
to fly. As she did SO, the panther made
its spring.
Owing to the height and the distance.
it sprang short. barely touching the
rock upon which the two were stand
ing. and feu backward
The respite was but brief Recover
ing itself, the savage beast returned to
the attack.
Mrs. Flanders clasped Basil closer to
her side. being resolved. in her despera-
ton, that the destroyer should only
reach his life through herself
She could not escape by flight, and
had no means of defense. She could
only wait and pray.
Once more the assailant made its at
tack. this time with a greater measure
of success 1t struck the edge of the
rock, and managed to cling toit. Strug-
Cling desperately to recover itself. il
stretched forward until it's Jaws seemed
but a short ward from it's intended vic
tim.
At This moment oVerwrOught nature
gave way under the strain. and she
swoOhed. As for Basil, he had hidden
his face in his mothers gown.
Meanwhile, Reginald Flanders sold
his corn, and expended the proceeds in
tea for his wife. powder and lead and
other simple neceSsaries.
Having transacted his business. he
set out OH the journey homeward. The
sun rose high in the heavens. and, an
ucipatimg no evil, he suffered the slow
paced piow-horse to subsi,ie into a
walk.
There was joy in the calm peaceful
ness of the surrounding Wilderness.
The birds were merry, the sea CLEANED
behind him like glass. the hills rose on
either side. lie was surrounded by the
pure beauties of nature, aud the sweet
ness of contentment filled his soul. lie
seemed tn dream. and left the horse to
wander as ii liked
How it occurred Reginald Flanders
could never tell. To his surprise. arous-
ing himself from pleasing reIerie. ne
found that Dobbin must have taken the
wrong course, for they were on the up
per inSteaG of the lower sid. of the
West Rock"
This mattcred little, excepting that
IL made the journey sOmew hat longer:
for which lac WAS sorry. as he knew his
wife would be looking out for his com
ing: only now he must cross the stream
high up in the woods. So. pressing the
faithful Old horse into an apology for 4
trot, he pursued his way.
At length he came to the PERCEPTIONS
bank of the brook. down which with
ONE difficulty he guided his horse
'nrsuin" downward course in The ~
lection Of his home. he was suddenly
startled by a shrill. weird cry.
IT sounded as if il were the voice of
his wife. and Yet il was strangely IN
like. What was it? What could il por-
tend?
There it rang again. Some one must
be in dire peril
There was no time for DELAY. The
mystery must be solved at once. For
ward,
The old horse numbered heavily on.
over rocks and projecting tree-stumps.
but its best efforts failed to keep pace
with its masters ever-increasing anx-
ietv.
The cries had ceased. All was once
more as silent as nature. on an early
autumnal day, can be. With the re-
CURING silence the mans fears became
As he came within sight of the rock.
be was surprised to perceive an enor-
nous panther. making strenuous en-
d"avors to climb its slippery sides
With the instinct of the hunter and
the GOODNESS of the practiced soldier.
Reginald Flanders grasped his rifle.
shook the printing in his hand. placed :,
fresh flint i'm the lock and took long
and deliberate aim. Had he known the
real state of affairs. it night have un-
nerved his arm. but the knowledge was
happily spared him.
And now the savage animal made its
oothold good. With a snarling cry il
'rouched, leaped and-rolled back. life
eSs. into the stream. with the settlers
bullet through it's brain,
Curious tO.tind out what had been the
'anther'S object, vet not for a single
moment guessing the truth. the marks
nan set himself to climb the rock.
Who shall describe the mingled hor-
'or and thankfulness with which he
perceived the unconscious forms of his
owed ones. and realized that he had
'cen prOvIdentiallv enabled TO save
Them from an awful fate?
With difficulty the loving husband
Won his wife and boy back to life. and
pore them. pale and weak. but safe. to
lis cabin.
That evening the sun went down into
he west with his last red rays resting
Ipon family giving thanks for an al
most miraculous escape from a dreadful
leath.-Golden Days.