The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1900-02-13


bluff. If you don't come and get mo,
may be the panther will. TAD.
A cayuse pony was picketed back
of the quartermaster's store, and
Sergeant Gore took turn OF the rope
around the animals jaw, leaped to the
bare back, aud galloped to the hills.
Tie carried his carbine, and a belt of
cartridges was buckled about him.
Aud every muscle of his splendid
frame quivered; for he loved the
Captains son.
Tad had calculated the note might
not be delivered until after dark; and
he crept along the slsty shelves until
he found little recess where the
loose earth had been worn away by
the wind and the rain, and he climbed
down there and backed in. About six
feet below was broad ledge which
reached far around to the right. BY
lying flat his face just came to the
edge of his narrow shelf, while his
feet were pressed to the farthest
spaces i'll hig little refuge. he pulled
bis rifle within easy reaching dis
lance, and then looked out and dared
the panther to come.
Straight before him. down the val
ley, was the fort. He watched the
twlnkling lights so out in the mess
hall, aud knew the belated Transfers
had arrived in camp. And his faith
was so firm in Sergeant Gore that he
never doubted tho soldier was coming.
Presently he heard the dull beat of
hoofs on the long road. But it was
from unshod feet, and not cavalry
horse. That chilled his courage
little. And just as he tried to con-
vince himself that he was wrong, and
searched for hope that an army horse
and not pony was galloping toward
him, 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 a cap
tain's son, Ted hammered his bare
knucklcs against the stone, and forced
his courage to come back.
He peered over the edge CT his
shelf at the broad ledge below; he
looked straight down there a hundred
feet to the foot of the bluff: and he
could not tell for the life of him from
what direction that thrilling cry had
come.
Then 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 the ledge below.
and then another pebble bounded
away; hut no strong worl 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 well IL the farther edge. She
saw him. and seemed gathering for q
spring. It was seconds before he
Thought Of the rifle. Then lie fred,
and she leaped.
He felt her claws strike at him.
and catch again aud again. But he
withdrew far into the little nook, and
there was 10 foolhold for her.
She toppled back, and he could
hear her breathing plainly. Then
She tried again. As she stood or 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 ont.
Once or twice she withdrew her
paw, stretched very high. and pushed
her black muzzle up till lie could see
the two red eyes; and be knew the
two red eyes could very well see him.
But when she struck she must with
draw her head 60 give the paw "A
greater reach, aud Ivy shifting a little
ne could dodge her.
But gil the time. ne she tried for
him, first with ono foro-paw and then
with the other, her hind feet were
c'Gwing at the bluff for a foothold. n
she bad found it, she would have lifted
aud have reached him instantly. She
did not find #; but she was loosening
soil and stones with every effort, and
these were forming a growing plat
form which brought her nearer.
When he knew the next fling Ct n
paw would reach him he saw the bare
blond head OF Sergeant Gore or the
ledge
The back Of hcr head was toward
tue fDlil'f, Ipi hfr lett paw was az the
bosom OF Tad's blue coat.
"Cing tight" said Gore.
Aud wonderful thing happened.
The sergeant stepped close ~ the
pan'hers siic, facing outward His
left arm dashed about the extended
body IIo made that splendid full
crum ri his hip lie swung Just once,
and swiftly and tho panther wont
as HiggIn. hal once gone-heels over
head, and helpless. She flung both
paws wildly, but she made no sound
as her dark body shot over the edge
and was swallowed mp in the dark.
ness. They listened what seemed a
very long time, and heard her strike
at the foot of the bluT.
"Great throw" cried Tad. and he
crept eHutant from his nook, aud
clambered ont where Sergeant Gore
could lit him down. But he had 10
be carried When 10 was all over his
sturdy legs refused to bear him, and
he staggered very helplessly. Gore
laid him on the pine .needles at tho
summit. Tor few minutes. And pres