The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1899-03-17

evening light, he saw her running. and
he knew that long before she could
reach the tepee he would be beyond
the need Of rescue.
He had turned his head only for an
Instant. but in that instant the cou-
gar had crept nearer and It's long tail
had begun TO swing slowly, stealthily'
from side to side.
Kannoga saw no hope OF escape. but
with every sense alert he studied his
desperate chances.
The panther lay crouched with Its
head toward the forest. while he sat
facing the lake. when he had care
fully measured the space between them
and the distance 10 the water he
Jumped away from the log and ran
directly under tho panther.
Tho animal instantly shifted It's
head. as II to leap down from the
other side OF the limb. but the boy did
not appear there. and II turned with
marvellous agility before its great
yellow body shot into the air.
Kannoga was crushed down under
Its weight. but he had reached the
lake and fell where the water was
nearly knee deep. lie felt the pan
Their release It's grasp In order to find
Arm footing. and when he raised up
for air discovered It's dripping head lit
tie more than an arms length from
his own.
Then he took a deep breath and lay
down upon the bottom. hoping that
the panther would leave him.
IL stood there. however. watching
over him and waiting.
He started TO crawl out from shore.
but II seemed TO him that he had
hardly moved when the heavy claws
sunk into his leg and dragged him
back. Then, without letting 70 its
hold. the panther Immediately shifted
It's position and began to drag him
out into shallower water.
He made desperate efforts to hold
fast to the lake bed. for he knew what
the end would be n he reached tho
shore. but his fingers only plowod
through the sand.
The sharp point OF a rock that tore
| nun IN nt Nhh hiakkfh o'NA ~ saw
him hope. lie grasped II with both
hands and chung with all his strength.
but in an instant his fingers were dig
glng vsinly In the sand again.
Al last he raised his head for air.
The panther at once let go OF his
leg and came at him with open mouth;
but II moved slowly in the water. and
Kannoga. by great effort, stood up.
Then the beast spranE upon him.
The boy had neryed himself how
ever. and fell as far out from shore
as he could.
When the feeling OF dizziness that
followed the shock had past he found
that the panther held his arm In its
mouth and was swlmmlng-that Its
feet did not touch bottom.
Then. In spite OF the terrible pain
II caused him he pulled his arm down
until the cougars head was submerged.
Very soon It released It's hold.
Then the Indian boy stood up again.
and this time he became the agrees
sor.
Grasping the sleek. wet head with
both hands. he forced It deep into the
water. The panther's feet touched
bottom and its violent struggles threw
him down, but he got up again and
held the glazing ey,s and red mouth
with its white teeth more carefully
Just under the surface OF the lake.
Khnnoga became very weak, and
his legs trembled feebly under him
but he was thankful that they were
long. for he could stand with his
head In the cool evening breeze while
the cougar was drowning
At FIRST the panther made fearful
sounds as the water filled It's lungs
but these presently ceased, and at last
II hung n dead weight in tho boy'i
hands. He let II sink and then loos
ened stone from the lake bed to roll
, upon his head.
! His wounds were slight. but painful
and the terrible battle had 80 weak
, ened him that when he reached shor,
he fell exhausted. with his face towart
the tspee.
lie could not see Aakloo now, moi
evan the canoe that came In momen
10 where he lay.
Gray Beaver and an old friend, pad
ding out from camp. had called to thu
girl as she ran on the shore. and hat
laughed when she told them why shI
could not turn her head to look afto
them.
They had seen the boy and tho cou
gar in the edge OF the lake. and thei
paddles had swung faster and will
|. stronger strokes than they had use,
for many a year.
When Kannoga opened his eye
y Gray Beaver leaned over him and apok
r gently;
"Aakioo will understand that gam
8 better when she is older" he said.
5 And across narrowing stretch O
y water the boy saw her waiting wit
[. Mar-tala.