St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-05-12

panther to come.
Straight before him down the va
ley was the fort. He watched tn
twinkling lights go out in the mes
hall, and knew the belated teamster
had arrived in camp. And his faitl
was so firm in Sergt. Gore that h
never doubted the soldier was coming
Presently he heard the dull beat o
hoofs on the long road. But it wa
from unshod feet, and not a cavslr,
horse. That chilled his courage lit
tie. And just as he tried to convinc
himself that he was wrong an,
searched for hope that an army hors,
and not pony was galloping towar,
him, shrek not so feet away rem
the wonderful silence of the hills.
His little body was positively Iftet
and shaken with the shock of it. AND
then, because he was a captains son
Tad hammered his bare knutkle.
against the stone and forced his cour
age to come back.
He peered over the edge of his shell
at the broad ledge below; he looked
straight down there q 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 loosened and fell
down the bluff, around somewhere to
the right of Ted'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 ali the time.
the panther lay below him. She kept
well to the farther edge. She saw
him, and seemed gathering for a spring.
1t was seconds before he thought Of
the rife. 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 crv
ont.
Once or twice she withdrew her paw,
stretched very high, and pushed her
black muzzle up till be 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 clawine
at the bluff for a foothold. If she had
found it, she would have lifted and
have reached him instantly. She could
not find it, but she was Ioosehing 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
side. facing outward. His left
arm flashed about the extended body.
de made that splendid fulcrum of his
Zip. He swung just once, and swiftly;
md the panther went-as higgins had |
,nce gone-head over heels. and help
ess. She flung both paws wildly, but |
he made no sound as her dark body |
hot over the edge and was swallowed |
Up in the darkness. They listened what |
very long time. and heard
Ter strike at the foot of the bluff.
Great throw!" cried Tad, and he
.rept exultant from his nook. and clam
'ered out where Sergt Gore could lift
him down. But he had to be carried.
When it was all over his sturdy legs
efused to bear him. and he staggered
cry helplessly. Gore laid him on the
inc needles at the summit, for a few
minutes. And presently they went
lown the long road to the warm spring.
rhere he washed the dust from Tad's
ace and hands and arms.
Later, they dragged to the captains
orch a monster panther, whose velvet
kin not a single bullet had marred.
But even at that, when Tad saw his
ather's white face. and caught the
welcome of his mothers en-
race, he knew he had paid for the
anther far more than it was WORTH
e Roy Armstrong, in st. Nicholas.