The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-11-22
NUMBER 81.

ever, for there came another terrific
over his head.
I'm ready for you nowr' he cried,
coolly sighting another panther directly
between the scintillating eyes.
He fired and sprang aside, while the
animal fell, struck the ground with a
heavy thud. clawed the earth and air
convulsively for a few seconds and then
lay quite still.
This is getting interesting" mutter-
ed Clyde grimly, eying the two huge,
tawny bodies, the dead dog and the
skulking living ones, while he threw
fresh wood upon the scattered fire and
peered in every direction.
Meow, Meow. Sst-t-tr'
He turned sharply to see the heads Of
two panther cubs thrust out Of the hole
near the tree. their ears laid close to
their round heads and their eyes sweep
ing the scene in fierce inquiry.
"Ha, ha! A regular family party I've
stumbled on" laughed Clyde. .'S-s-s!
Seek 'em, boys
And the dogs pulled one kitten out to
his death, while the other scrambled
back in the hole.
Suddenly there was a slight noise in
the edge of the forest, and two half
grown panthers came cautiously into
| the circle Of the light, shifting the air
| uneasily and evidently afraid of a trap
The smell of the scorched hair and
the binding glare of the fire puzzled
them.
But Clyde did not wait for them to
become satisfied of the safety of an at
| tack. He fired two shots in quick sue
cession, killing one animal and badly
| wounding the other, which the dogs at
tackled at once.
When the sharp, short fight was over.
one dog limped back to receive the
praise of his master, while the other
lay dead beside its dead foe.
You and 1 are alone now, Brave, my
boy" said his master, patting the dogs
head. well, when daylight comes well
see after that little varmint in the
hole
The night passed without further
molestation, but Clyde kept the fire
burning brightly while he busted him.
self in skinning three Of the panthers
the one which had sprung into the
fire being worthless.
Two were monstrous brutes-male
and female, evidently the parents of
the smaller pair as well as the kittens.
After generous breakfast of roasted
venison he enlarged the hole with his
pick AMI shovel, and, after examining
his reyolvers, crept In cautiously with
q lighted torch while the dog remained
outside protesting against such fool
hardy conduct by dismal yelps and
whines.
The cavity under the spreading roots
was deserted, but a larger opening led
into the rocky mountain side, and
through this the astonished young man
erept, to find himself in a natural
cavern.
| He soon discovered and killed the
kitten, but could find no signs Of any
more.
The floor Of the cave was covered
with bones, and a neatly made nest Of
sticks and leaves was in the corner.
But Clyde did not notice these; he
was examining the rocky sides, which
were of peculiar veined grayish
| stone.
There was smile of satisfaction on
his face when he had finished this ex-
animation, and when he crept forth
irto daylight again he muttered.
tweaking Braves ears until the dog
yelped In pain and wonder:
"Queen Bess is mine. Brave! There's
gold enough there to satisfy even
George Randolph, I should say, and
claim it as the panther's bequest-"
George Randolph could say no more.
although he insisted on visiting the
panther's den to see for himself
"Some folks are lucky" he admitted
reluctantly. IF that mine is worth
one hundred thousand dollars, you can
have her. for a Randolf never goes
back on his word"
That was only a year ago. and the
mine has already netted its owner over
$5C0, 200.
But he regards as dearer prize the
loving wife who rules his heart and
home-his Queen Bess.
Il