Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1900-04-12
frame quivered; for he loved the cap


not be delivered until after dark, and
he crept along the slaty shelves until
he found a 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 fiat 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
twinkling lights go out in the mess
hall, and knew the belated transfers
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 it was
from unshod feet, and not 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 pony was galloping toward
him, shrek not so 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 captains son,
Tad hammered his bare knuckles
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
direction that thrilling cry had come.
Then pebble was loosene d and fell
down the bluff, around somewhere to
the right of Ted refuge, and he called
"Sergeant!"
He heard something RIB 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
well to the farther edge. She saw
him, and seemed gathering for spring.
1t was seconds before he thought of
the rifle. Then he fired, 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.
He 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 well 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 forepaw and then with
the other, her hind feet were clawing
at the bluff for footho1d. If she had
found it, she would have lifted and
have reached him instantly. She could
not find it, but she was ]oosening soil
and stone with every effort and these
were forming growing platform
which brought her nearer.
When he knew the next fling of a
paw would reach him, he saw the bare.
blond 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 the wonderful thing happened.
The sergeant stepped close to the
panther's side, facing outward. His left
arm flashed about the extended body,
He made that splendid fulcrum of his
hip. He swu, g just once, and swiftly;
and the panther went-as Higgins had
once gone-head over heels. 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 clam
bered out where Sergt. Gore could lift
him down. But he had to be carried.
When it was all over his sturdy legs
refused to bear him, and he staggered
very helplessly. Gore laid him on the