Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-09-25

BESIEGED In A SCHODhHDUSE.
By Franklin WeIles caIkins.

about. AS this little creature knew
approached the school house, and had
promptly leaped in at q window when
the dog attacked. And now the saw
age old dam had come to the rescue
of her young one.
The teacher felt that the beast must
be kept outside at all hazards.
Trembling but courageous, she took
her place, with uplifted ax, behind
the pIhcky terrier.
The threats Of the old cougar were
fearful. She had discovered her kit,
and her eyes roved from its perch
to the barking dog, while she hisscd
and snarled and rumbled forth growls
in dep chest tones. Her square jaws
were opened quite wide enough to
take in the terriers head, and yet his
demonstrations alone seemed to hold
ner in check. Doubtless, too, she
hesitated to enter, fearing trap, ard
yet she had plainly no intention of
abandoning her kit.
The teacher found strength and
courage to flourish her nr above the
dog, and actually attempted to strike
the threatening lion upon Its head.
At this demonstration the beast lcapod
backward, and instantly Miss Barglof
closed the door.
She then ran to the nearest window
and let down its lower sash. There
were still three open windows, and as
she turned to close another, fresh
alright awaited her. The old cougar
had reared herself against the wall,
and had thrust head and claws In at
tie opening.
But for the dog the beast would
doubtless have entered the room. The
terrier, however. leaped upon a desk
top, and thrusting his fierce little
almost within reach Of the
beasts claws, barked savagely. The
kit joined in the clamor with fright
ened whining.
Several times the teacher had shout
ed to Nettie to lie perfectly still, and
the little girl had not once lifted the
terror-strickcn face she had buried
in her arms.
The dreadful threatenings at the
window continued for q full minute.
Miss Barglof hesitated, wondering if
she might not attack 'hc kit and drive
it out at window. But when she
attempted to approach it the dams
demonstrations became too ominous.
BY this time the teachers nerves,
stout-heartcd as she was, had reached
q high state Of tension. Her desire
to end suspense was well-night un-
controllablc. With teeth set, she laid
her AK upon the stove, and while
fresh threats stormcd at her from
the open window, she seized heavy
top griddle OF lid. and stepping in
behind the dog, hurled it with all her
might at the lions head. The heavy
missile struck the window still with q
crash, and again the cougar bounded
away to seek another entrance.
Miss Barglof quickly let the window
down with a jarring bang that shook
the ! 'lding, and then turned her at
tention to the whining cougar kit.
She secured her AK and attacked
it boldly, determined to get the crea-
ture outside, dead or alive. At her
first stroke the young lion leaped to
the floor, and the terrier closed with it
instantly.
A sharp and furious struggle took
place upon the floor. Snarling,
splitting cat and growing dog rolled
over and over in what seemed
bouncing ball Of black and tan and
yellow.
From the first, however, the terrier
had the advantage, and soon his teeth
closed upon the nape Of the young
cougars neck, and the fight was
ended.
But the kit gave one last shrill
meow, which was a most effective
appeal to its dam. Straight al one
Of the closed windows the frantic
old cougar leaped. She struck the
panes midway. and but for their
double central sash she would have
gone clear through. AS the spllntered
glass fell, Miss Barglof turned to see
the vicious beast clinging, her head
and three legs thrust through the
broken panes and clawing frantically
for support.
The teacher leaped upon a desk,
confronting the scrambling brute. and
struck 1t swinging blow upon the
head. The cougar, dropping to the
ground, whirled about and about, hold
inlg its head sldewise, as If half-dazed
by the heavy stroke.
Then Miss Barglof stood guard at
the broken window and watched the
cougar dam until the creature had re-
covered its senses, lay down upon its
belly, thrashlng its tail about and
again snarling in futile threats.
The teacher now took the body of
the kit, which she was compelled 10
tear away from Bunts, and threw it
out to the dam. The old one snarled
afresh ut this demonstration, and
then, realizing that her kit lay before
her, she rose quickly and shifted
eagerly at the lifeless spotted thing.
She trotted away frcm the dead kit,
and looked back as If coaXing it to
follow. and yet not expecting it 20
do so. This vancouver she repeated
several times, returning to sniff at
the body and to lick the soft fu-
caressingly. Then, with an air f
great detection, she lifted the lifeless
kit in her mouth and trotted of
among the pines.
The teacher now aroused Nettie. and
soothed her with assurances of safety.
Yet when the two dared to go out of
doors they did not stop running until
they had crossed tho Mayhem irri-
eating ditch, and found three men
non npful1v harypstirp alfalfa in the