Smyrna times., 1901-11-20

ever. for there came another terrific
scream, this time from the tree directly
over his head.
"Pm ready for you noww he cried,
coolly sighting another panther directly
between the scntillating eyes.
He fired and sprang aside while the
animal fell, struck the ground with a
heavy thud, clawed the earth and air
convulsively for few seconds and then
lay quite still.
This is getting interesting" mutter-
ed Clyde gTimly, eying the two huge,
tawny bodies, tie 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-t!
He turned sharply to see the heads CT |
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.
"EIa. ha! regular family party I've
stumbled on" laughed Clyde. "S-s-s!
Seek 'em, boys!'
AhN bLS NOSS pulANu OAlC hllbCh Oul W
his death, while the other scrambled
back in the hole.
Suddenly there was slight noise in
the edge of the forest, and two half
grown panthcrs came cautiously into
the circle Of the light, shifting the air
uncasily 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 | are alone now. Brave, my
boy" said his master. patting the dogs
head. We'll. when daylight comes well
see after that little varmnt 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 in.o the
fire being worthless.
Two were monStrOus brutes-male
and female, evidently the parents of
the smaller pair as well as the kittens.
After a generous breakfast of roasted
veniSOn he enlarged the hole with his
pick anl shovel, and after examining
his revolvers, crept in cautiously with
a 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 larger opening LED
into the rocky mountain side. anC
through this the astonished young mar
crept. to find himself in a natura
cavern.
He soon discovered and killed thu
kitten. but could find no signs of an!
more.
The floor of the cave was covered
with bones. and a neatly made nest o
sticks and leaves was in the corner.
But Clyde did not notice these; h
was examining the rocky sides, whicl
were of a peculiar veined grayisl
stone.
There was a smile of satisfaction Of
lis face when he had finished this eX
animation, and when he crept fort
irto daylight again he mutteret
tweaking Braves ears until the do
yelped in pain and wonder:
"Queen Bess is mine, Brave! There
gold enough there to satisfy eve
. George Randolph, | should say, and
claim it as the panthers bequest."
. George Randolph could say no NOR
although he insisted on visiting til
panther's den to see for himself.
Some folks are lucky" he admitte
reluctantly. IF that mine is wort
; one hundred thousand dollars, you ca
have her. for a Randolf never gOC
back on his word"
That was only a year ago. and I'll
, mine has already netted its owner ov'
:; 100000.
- But he regards as a dearer prize Il
:, loving wife who rules his heart an
II hOme-his Queen Bess.