Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1900-02-15

them.
The apex was crowned by one huge,
bushy-topped tree, the gnarled trunk OF
which was so bent that the limbs pro.
trudcd far over the rocky precipice..
Old Hector was standing with his fore
feet resting against the trunk OF this
tree. his blazing eyes rivetcd upon the
dense foliage above and beyond. The
gHme was freed. beyond doubt, for as
they drew near the boys both heard
scrambling sound as though the animal
was rctrcating still farther into the
lcafy covert.
"But wolves emit climb q treci" ex-
claimed David, sorely puzzled.
''rhis one kin, but mebbe 'tnin't
WOLF" returned Saul. scratching his
head obviously. III don't see how we're
goin' to git at him, though"
1--WE kin build fire." suggested
David.
Amt got no Matches" But David
produced two. and Ave minutes Inter q
bright blaze was leaplng high above
the pile Of brush.
From every possible point of view the
lads endeavored to catch a glimpse OF
the strange animal. but in vain. Still
Saul would not give up.
"You go home an git somethin' to
eat, Dave. Take old Hec along. Mother
II be skeered TO stay all by herself
She'll do the chores for once. You come
back, an we'll watch until day. Wen
hev pay fer this long run, eff II takes q
week."
David willingly agreed, though Hec'
tor was very reluctant to abandon his
quarry. An hour later the lad returned,
bearing an ample supply Of food for his
brother.
The two youngsters settled down be-
side the fire, eating. talking and watch
ing for some signs of the strange AMI
NAL. For an hour or two all went well
enough, but then their eyelids grew
heavy with sleep. They had been hard
at work since early dawn, and growing
lads must sleep at all hazards. What
followed was natural enough. Before
ten o'clock both boys were sound asleep,
nor did they awaken until broad day
light.
And then-their game was gone.
They could see where 1t had leaped from
the trunk TO the ground. its long claws
deeply scoring the earth not dozen
feet from where they had been sleep
Ing. Why had II not attacked themP
That was q question they could not
answer.
They longed to follow the trail. but
that was out of the question. Their
days work must be done. They set
about without q murmur.
For nearly a week nothing more was
seen or heard OF the strange animal.
One of the neighbora. a mighty hppteF
In his younger days. 10 whom the boys
told the story of their adventure, and
who took the trouble TO visit Spit hill
to examine the tracks, declared that
the creature was none other than a
panther of the largest size. He could
not understand hoW the boys had es-
capped so easily. especially as the ami
NAL was wounded. Their escape was
one In q thousand.
The widow and her sons had gone to
bed early after hard days work, but
early In the night they were awakened
from sleep by hideous clamor. Old
Hector was yelping furiously. The fat
tening hog was squealing fit to split
its throat. The horses were snorting
and kicking as though they meant to
demolish their rude stable.
Saul and David, half asleep, crawled
down from the loft where they slept,
and, grasping their rifles, opened the
door and rushed forth. AS they ran
around the corner of the house, shout
ing encouragement to the hound, they
caught a glimpse of something just
leaping out of the pig pen, but before
they could fairly lift a weapon the
prime cause OF oil this nocturnal dis
turbance ran nimbly up the old live oak
tree which formed one corner OF tho
stable. 1t crouched In the lowest fork,
glaring at them with fiery eyes.
ats that old panther" and as he
spoke Saul endeavored to draw bead
upon the animal.
1t was too dark for him to see the
double sights, and now that he knew
how dangerous the creature WIS ne
dare not risk an uncertain shot.
"Tell mother to fetch the lantern"
he muttered to David
This was the scene beheld, as, be-
lated, neared the cabin. A tall. hand
some woman In night dress and bare
footed. holding lantern so that the
light fell upon the leveled rifles of her
two sons.
AS one report the weapons spoke. and
with screech of mortal pain the hugo
panther shot through the air and
hurled that little group aside. But that
leap was only spasmodic; both bullets
were buried In the brain of the beast
and no person was hurt.
helped to skin the creature, which
measured nine feet seven inches from
tip 70 tip and weighed ESQ pounds.
spent O week at the farm and learned
20 love the boys as my own kindred.
am happy TO add that. at this writing,
they are fairly comfortable In this
worlds goods. all of which they have
earned like true heroes, by the sweat OF