Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-09-14
The Daily Short Story +;
The Partners Revenge.

L
Of iron constitution, of great power of
bone and muscle and an indomitabIe
courage that knew no mixture OF fear.
He settled in Illinois when that region
was Inhabited by Indians and soon took
leading part among them. One day
when on n hunting excursion with
them 4 river lay in their way which
must be crossed at n single point.
When they arrived at this point, they
suddenly came upon a huge panther,
which had taken possession of the pass,
and like . skillfu general, confident OF
his strong position, seemed determined
10 hold ft. The party retreated little
and stood at bay for n while and CON
suited what should be done.
Myers urged the chief, whose rifle
was loaded, to march close to the pan
Their and shoot him, promising support
if the shot failed, but the chief de-
clined. All the Indians likewise re-
fused a duty almost sure to bring
death.
At last Myers. in a burst of anger
and Impotence, called them all set OF
towards and snatchiIig the loaded rifle
from the hands of the chief, to tho
amazement of the whole party, march
ed deliberately toward the panther.
The Indians kept at Il cautious distance
t. watch the result of the fearful bat
tie Myers walked steadily up to with
in about two rods of the panther, keep
ing his eyes fixed upon him, while the
eyes of the panther flashed fire and his
heavy growl betokened at once the
power and firmness of the animal. At
nj, DO, Il iGfa
his rifle, took deliberate aim and fired.
The shot inflicted a heavy wound, but
not a fatal one and the furious animal,
maddened with the pain, made two
leaps before he reached his assaiIant.
Myers met him with the butt end OF
his rifle and staggered him little with
two or three heavy blows, but the rifle
broke, and the animal grappled him
apparently with his full power. The
Indians at once gave Myers up for
dead and only thought of making
timely retreat for themselves.
Fearful was the struggle between
Myers and the panther, but the animal
had the best of it at first, for they
soon came to the ground. Myers under
meath, suffering under the joint opera
ton of sharp claws and teeth applied
by the most powerful muscles. In fall
ing, however. Myers. whose right hand
was at liberty, had drawn long knife.
AS soon as they came to the ground,
his right arm being free, he made Il
desperate plunge at the vitals of the
animal and. as good luck would have
it, reached his heart. The loud shrieks
of the panther showed that it was 81
death wound. He quivered convulsive-
ly. shook his victim with n spasmodic
leap and plunge, then lOOSened his hold
and fell powerless by his side. Myers,
whose wounds were severe, but not
mortal, rose to his feet, bleeding and
much exhausted, but with life and
strength to give grand whoop which
conveyed the news of his victory to his
trembling Indian friends.
They now came up to him with shout
ing and joy and so full of admiration
that they were almost ready to worship
him. They dressed and bound up his
wounds and were now ready to pursue
their journey home without the least
impediment. Before crossing the river,
however, Myers cut off the head of the
panther, which he took home with HIM
and fastened it up by the side of his
years, a memorial of deed that ex~
cited the admiration of the Indians in
all that region. From that time forth
they gave Myers that name and always
called him the Panther.
The Black Hawk war broke out, an
the Indians murdered Myers brother
in-law, wife and three children. Myers
without n word girded on his tomG
hawk and scalping knife and shoulder
ed his loaded rifle and at open mid
day silently and alone bent his steps
toward the Indian encampment. With
n fearless and firm tread he marched
directly into the midst of the assembly,
elevated his rifle at the head of the
principal chief present and shot him
dead on the spot. He then deliberately
severed the head from the trunk, and
holding it up by the hair before the
awe stricken multip1Je, he exclaimed:
"You have murdered my brother-in-
law, his wife and their little ones, and
now | have murdered your chief. L am
now even with you. But now mind,
every one of you that is found here to-
morrow morning at sunrise is Il dead
Believing their chief had fallen vic
tim TO some unseen power, they were
stupefied with terror and looked on
without even thought of resistance.
Myers bore off the head in triumph to
his cabin, where he was welcomed by
his anxious friends almost as one re-
turning from the dead. The next morn
ing not an Indian was to be found any
where in the vicinity. Their camps
were deserted. and they left forever
their ancient haunts and their dead.
and that part of the state was not mo-
Tested by them afterward.