Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-02-01
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Il IN ready for You now" he cried,
coolly sighting another panther directly
between the scintillating eyes.
He fired and sprang aside. while the
animal fell. struck the ground with q
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
pecrcd 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.
''Iia. ha. \ regular family party I've
stumbled on laughed Clyde. ''S-s-s!
Seek EN-. 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
the circle of the light. shifting the air
uneasily and evidently afraid of n 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
cossion. 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 dog S
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
aAN Wv W htili uuk tuC
fire being worthless.
Two were monStrous bridesmaid
and female. evidently the parents of
the smaller pair as well as the kittens.
After generous breakfast of roasted
vcnison he enlarged the hole with his
pick AMI shovel. and. after examining
his reviewers. crept in cautiously with
til
outside protesting against such fool
hardy conduct 10y dismal yelps and
whineS
The cavity under the spreading roots
was deserted. but Il larger opening led
into the rocky mountain side, and
through this the astonshcd young man
crept. to find himself in 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 Il 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 a 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
yclped in pain and wonder:
Queen BeSs is mine. Brave! There's
gold enough there to satisfy even
George Randolph should say. and
calm il rs the panther's Request"
George Randolph could say no more.
although he insisted on visiting the
panthcr'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 Randolf never goes
back on his word"
That was only year ago. and the
mine has already netted its owner over
SJuO.0D1
But he regards as a dearer prize the
loving wife who rules his heart and
home-his Queen Bess.