The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-01-26
qulvered, for h. loved the captains

Tad mad calculated tne Hote Hibhe
not be delivered until after dark, anu
he crept along the slaty shelves until
he found a little recess where the
loose earth had been worn away by the
wind and rain, and he climbed down
there and backed in. About six feet
below was a broad ledge which reached
far around to the right. By lying nat
his face just came to the edge OF his
narrow shelf, while his feet were
pressed to the farthest spaces in his
little refuge. He pulled his rifle within
easy reaching distance and then looked
out and dared the panther to come
Straight before him, down the val
ley. was the fort. He watched the
twlnlling lights go out in the mess
hall, and knew the belated teamsters
had arrived in camp. And his faith
was so firm in Sergt. Gore that he
never doubted the soldier was coming
Presently he heard the dull beat OF
hoofs on the long road. But 1t was
from unshod feet, and not a cavalry
horse. That chilled his courage lit
tie. And just as he tried to convince
himself that he was wrong, and
searched for hope that an army horse
and not a pony was galloping toward
him, a shrek not fifty feet away rent
the wonderful silence of the hills.
His little body was positively lifted
and shaken with the shock Of it. And
then, because he was captains son,
| Tad hammered his bare knuckles
against the stone and forced his cour-
age to come back.
He peered over the edge Of his shelf
at the broad ledge below; he looked
straight down there hundred feet to
the foot of the bluff, and he could not
tell for the life Of him from what direc-
ton that thrilling cry had come.
Then a pebble was loosed, and fell
down the bluff, around somewhere to
the right Of Tad's refuge and he called
Sergeant"
He heard something rub gently
against the rocks on that ledge below,
and then another pebble bounded
away, but no strong word of cheer
came in answer.
In another moment, though his wide
eyes had been watching all the time,
the panther lay below him. She kept
to the farther edge. She saw him and
seemed gathering for spring. 1t was
seconds before he thought OF the rlne.
Then he fred and she leaped.
He felt her claws strike at him and
catch again and again. But he with
drew far into the little nook, and there
was no foothold for her She toppled
back, and he could hear her breathing
plainly. Then she tried again. AS
she stood on her hind feet, her claws
caught in his clothing, but he fought
free; and time and again she scratched
him, but he did not cry out.
Once or twice she withdrew her paw,
stretched very high and pushed her
black muzzle up till he could see the
two red eyes, and he knew the two red
eyes could very we'll see him. But
when she struck she must withdraw
her head to give the paw a greater
reach, and by shifting little he could
dodge her.
But all the time, as she tried for
him, first with one fore paw and then
with the other, her hind feet were
clawing at the bluff for foothold. Ii
she had found it, she would have lifted
and have reached him instantly. She
did not find it, but she was loosening
soil and stones with every effort, and
these were forming growing platform
which brought her nearer.
When he knew the next fling OF
paw would reach him, he saw the bare
blonde head of Sergt. Gore on the
ledge.
The back of her head was toward
the soldier, for her left paw was at the
bosom of Tad's blue coat
"Cling tight" said Gore.
And q wonderful thing happened.
The sergeant stepped close to the pan
theirs side, facing outward. His left
arm flashed about the extended body
He made that splendid fulcrum of his
hip. He swung just once, and swiftly;
and the panther went-as Higgins had
once gone-heels over head, and help
less. She flung both paws wildly, but
she made no sound as her dark body
shot over the edge and was swallowed
up in the darkness. They listened
what seemed a very long time, and
heard her strike at the foot of the
bluff.
Great throw!" cried Tad, and he
crept exultant from his nook and
clambered out where Sergt. Gore could
lift him down. But he had to be car
ried. When it was all over his sturdy
legs refused to bear him, and he stag
gered very helplessly. Gore laid him
on the pine-needles at the summit for
a few minutes. And presently they
went down the long road to the warm
spring, where he washed the dust from
Tad's face and hands and arms.
Later they dragged to the captains
porch monster panther, whose velvet
skin not a single bullet had marred.
But even at that, when Tad saw his
fathers white face and caught the
wordless welcome of his mothers en-
brace, he knew he had paid for the