The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-05-02

IRON the 81. Nlcholha comes lhla eh-
citing description OF a fight against
an American panther:
Frank. accompanied by the three
great hounds. did not hesitate TO
charge this formidable and sudden
enemy But the effect was not what
be expected Instead OF bounding
away. the great cat, looming larger
and more terrible the nearer ne ap-
preached faced his foes nercely,
crouchlng above the slain sheep. ready
10 spring, and yelling screams of dc.
monlac feroclty. The mustang
stopped and roared. then stood snort.
ing ana trembling. and could not be
force nearer. The great dogs rushed
on And Frank sat in his saddle and
watched the fight, unable to assist,
too fascinated to fly.
Now he realized the imprudence Of
leaving his arms, and repented his
boyish folly in despising discipline
founded upon experience
old Strategy was the leader of
the three great dogs. His wise brain
did the planning for all, and never
did soldiers obey a chief with more
careful attention to signals Of com
mand than the other two great dogs
gave to him. lie was the feetest of
the three. Reserve" who ran in the
rear. and always waited the proper
time to leap and seize, was the most
powerful. "Skirmish, the lightest of
the trio, made it his business to dis
tract the quarry by flashing feigned
and real attacks all over him, mere,
there, and everywhere, to provoke
openings for the other two.
Just as the battle began, the clouds
opened wide, and the Frightening
moon shed a distant glimmer over the
scene through the mist that rose from
the wet grass, disclosing the huge
mountain lion standing over his prey
with nattened ears, snarling face,
teeth cleaning, claws widely spread,
mad with hate, menacing the dogs.
And now Old Strategy, warily OBJ
servant, crept, growing, directly in
front of the angry lion, tempting and
haunting him to spring. Nearer-a
little nearer yet. Several times the
lion seemed about to leap, judging by
his flashing tail and settling launches;
but Skirmish distracted him with a
sudden feint, or Reserve threatened
his flank When each dog had a good
position, Old Strategy provoked a leap
by a sudden movement. The lion
sprang, body, limbs and claws spread
to strike. But Old Strategy wasn't
there when he alighted; and the lion
did not alight where he aimed for
the moment he leaDed Reserve and
/ Skirmish dashed in and caught him in
the air, one on his flank, one by a
hind kneejoint, and held back with
such force that al three rolled along
the grass.
Before the lion could retaliate, all
three dogs were out Of reach, to re-
/ peat their provoking tactics.
For half an hour this furious battle
was continued. Leap, charge, rush or
strike as he would, the worried lion
could not bring his treacherous assail-
ants to a close. But for a few insig-
nificant scratches, the dogs were IN
hurt, but the lion showed many marks
of the conflict The dogs gave him
no rest from their incessant attacks.
Occasionally one Of the dogs would lie
down, painting, and rest himself, while
the other two kept the game going,
but tLeir adversary was not permitted
moments breathing time.
Gradually the tormented night.
prowler grew weary and faint His
own fury helped the dogs to exhaust
him; for each effort he made in
creased his rage, until he became a
veritable demon Of frenzied hate, and
spent in useless screams the breath
he needed for battle. AS his powers
diminished those Of the dogs in
creased. Their rushing, leaping grips
were more confident, more frequent
and more effective.
A little later brave Skirmish made
such a prodigious feint, in obedience
to some secret sign from Old Strategy
that the lion whirled to strike at him
This gave Old Strategy his chance. He
fastened the first grip upon the throat
OF the great cat, keeping his own body
behind and partly under the head OF
his foe, while Skirmish dragged at a
hind leg, and Reserve put all his
weight and force into a grip over the
loin, stretching their enemy helpless
for a moment-but only for a mo-
ment. AS soon as the great cat could
muster his tired strength, he drew his
powerful body into curve. and
/ - 4