Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-04-21

Nuo q AOV PhuCAA III ulc DOIC vi lily
right boot, and it was seeing the print Of
that in the snow that made me try the fit
of my shoe on the trail. ..,
sit was all plain enough. Ihad doubled
on my own track and was being followed,
too close for comfort in that thick woods,
by an ugly sized panther. He must even
nov be near at hand, maybe overhead
somewhere, ready to spring for me when
he thought he had a sure thing of it.
"If l had not read his secret in the tell
tale snow, / might not have discovered
that he, too, was out on a still hunt until
I had felt him land ON my shoulders.
II took a sharp look about me, but
neither saw nor heard anything of him. I
knew, though, that he would soon be on
hand, SO I started at a brisk pace for a lit
tie clearing in the woods some distance
ahead of me.
"My plan was to try to reach this clear
ing in advance Of his partnership, cross it
and lie in wait for him on the other side.
l expected him to follow my trail at least
into the open, when I might have a crack
at him.
"Well, I made the clearing without hav-
ing seen or heard anything of my pursuer,
and, dropping behind a fallen tree at the
edge of the clearing, / pointed my rifle to-
ward the spot where I entered the open
and was ready to give the big cat a warm
reception.
II oon saw the limb of a large tree op-
posite me bend low, then fly suddenly back
to it's place, and almost at the same instant
the panther touched the ground. He
quickly followed my trail to the very edge
of the tree line, and then stopped, raised
his head and began to sniff the air. He
had scented me, and now was my time or
never.
IT hesitated to pull the trigger, as it
was too long range across the clearing for
a sure shot, and nothing but a sure shot
would do for such a huge panther as that.
HE was a big and fierce looking enough
customer for O man to meet in the woods
under any circumstances, but it would be
almost certain death to have to face him
made furious by a wound.
"My moment of hesitation aided my OPP
p~ortunity for a shot, for the panther, TAX
ing in the situation, sprang Immediately
to the trees again.
II saw his game and started to travel as
soon rs he did. He intended to follow the
woods around and come at me where I
would be at a disadvantage under the trees.
"He knew too much to attempt to cross
the open after he had scented me on the
other side. / might have gone into the
center Of the clearing and remained there
until he came out, if he were anxious to
attack But darkness was fast coming
On, and it wouldn't do to be cooped up by
n vnnfhor i'm that r1oon oftar S1au1y co r
travelled.
II had the start Of the panther for the
next clearing, as he had to go some dis
lance around to reach the point / had just
occupied. I was very anxious to keep
ahead Of him until / was clear of the
woods, as l knew that I could not have a
good shot at him unless I did so. r.
"There were two more clearings between
me and the open country. At the second
clearing I had no time to spare.
II had scarcely reached the edge of the
timber before the panther was at the other
side. ! hoped l might have a shot here,
and was in readiness for the chance.
"The cat sprang to the ground as before,
but, scenting me again, he betook himself
the second time to the trees.
"And now came a tight race. I was for
tunate enough to cross the last clearing in
advance Of my pursuer, but heard his
heavy springs among the tree tops In the
intense silence of the woods. This time the
panther did not come to the ground, but
kept right on after me, and, though l had
the start Of the short cut across the clear
ing, while he had to go around it to reach
me, l felt it wa an open question as to
who would be the winner Of the race.
1T was now dusk, and I felt sure that
If that panther were to catch up with me
he would tackle me at once. If luck was
against me In my deer hunting, it seems
that luck was against the panther in his
man hunting, as / reached the open, all
out Of breath, as he came up with me. But
he reached the edge of the woods almost az
soon as I had cleared it.
HE was evidently very hungry, and
very mad, too, by this time, as he gave a
fierce yell, and I could hear him descend
ing from the trees, though it was too dark
for me to see him.
II believe he would have made for me,
and / would have had to take the chance
Of q snap shot at him if it had not been for
the arrival of the unexpected help. A pack
Of d~eerhounds, belonging to a neighboring
camp, heard the yell and came toward us
In full cry.
"The panther concluded that there were
too many for him now, and, with another
yell, put of, and that was the last I ever
saw Of him"
At this point my entertainer rose slowly
from his seat by the fire, yawned and then
hung up his blouse by the chimney conner.
! took the hint and, lighting my candle,
wished my host good night and went off
to bed In the little room back Of the s'keep-
ing room to dream all night Of hair.
breadth escapes from panthers.-Golden
Days.