The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1902-01-09

at hole among the roots of the tree,
but he called them away and went on
building n fire to cook supper from the
| loose wood and branches around.
| Now that the fire Is ready" he
unused aloud 81 wonder IL I'll find any
game hereabout."
| AS if In answer a half grown deer
came down to the stream on the oppo-
site bank net many rods away.
| 1t stopped, with one foot appraised,
and locked at the dogs with startled
eyes, The next instant the report Ct
| Clyde's rifle rang out, the deer leaped
| into the air. sprang forward and fell
| into the stream. from which it was
soon dragged by the dogs.
But the echoes made by the report
had not died out among the hills before
another sound aroused them again.
1t was the scream of an angry pam
Their from the mountain behind him,
and it was instantly answered by an
other on the right and yet another far
down the valley on the left.
| Clyde heaped the dry limbs upon the
fire, and the dogs. usually as brave as
lions, whined piteously as they skulked
close to his feet.
| He waited in GREATNESS anxiety for
several minutes. but could hear moth
ing except the cracking of the fire,
| which now threw a wide circle OF
light, and the night wind among the
| trees.
| Soon, following magnetism which
he could not account for, he fixed his
gaze upon a tall tree near the base Of
the mountain and encountered the
glare of two fierce yellow eyes.
panther was crouching there upon
a long limb. every nerve of his body in
motion as he prepared for the fatal
spring.
To aim and fire at him was the i'm
pulse of a second. and the tawny brute
sprang outward. with a snarl of rage
and pain, and fell squarely into the
fire.
There was an unearthly shrek, a
smell of burning hair, a shower of
Goals and lighted wood then the brute
stood, wounded and blinded, near the
tree.
"At him, boys. at him.! cried Clyde.
And the dogs cl sed on him: but,
O match for them. ....
He killed one and sent the others
rowling to a safe distance before their
master could surely aim the second
bullet. which quieted him.
He was not an instant too soon, how
ever, for there came another terrific
scream, this time frosn the tree directly
over his head.
I'm ready for you now!' he cried,
coolly sighting another panther directly
between the scintillating eyes.
He fired and splang aside. while the
animal fell. struck the ground with a
heavy thud. clawld the earth and air
convulsively for few seconds and then
lay quite still.
This is getting interesting" mutter-
ed Clyde grimiy. ey.ng 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-tv'
He turned sharply to see the heads of
two panther cubs thrust out of the hole
near the tree, their cars 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. ISIS!
Seek 'em, boys!'
. And the dogs pulled one kitten out to
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 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 | are alone now, Brave, my
boy" said his master, patting the dogs
} head. well, when daylight comes We'll
; 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 bridesmaid
| nd IL
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 revolvers, crept in cautiously with
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, and
through this the astonished young man
crept. to find himself in natural
cavern.
He soon discovered and killed the
kitten, but could find 10 signs of any
more.
The floor of the cave was covered
with bones, and a neatly made nest of
sticks ana 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
bis 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 III pain and wonder:
Queen Bess is mine. Brave! There's
gold enough there to satisfy even
George Randolph. l should say, and
claim it as the panther's bequest."
George Randolph could say no more