Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-05-07
A Struggle to the Death.

From the St. Nicholas comes this ex-
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
he expected. Instead of bounding
away, the great cat, looming larger
and more terrible the nearer he ap.
preached, faced his foes fiercely,
crouching above the slain sheep, ready
to spring, and yelling screams of de-
moniac ferocity. The mustang
stopped and roared, then stood snort
ing and 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.
"Oli Strategy" was the leader of
the three great dogs. His wise brain
did the planning for all, and never
did soldiers obey chief with more
careful attention to signals of COM
mani than the other two great dogs
gave to him. He was the fieetest 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, nere
there, and everywhere, to provoke
openings for the other two.
Just as the battle began, the clouds
opened wide, and the Frightening
moon shed distant glimmer over the
scene through the mist that rose from
the wet grass, disclosing the huge
mountain lion standing over his prey,
with fattened 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
taunting him to spring. Nearer-a
little nearer yet. Several times the
lion seemed about to leap, judging by
his lashing tail and settling launches;
but Skirmish distracted him with a
sudden feint, or Reserve threatened
his flank. When each dog had good
position, Old Strategy provoked leap
by sud den 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 leaped 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 few insig
nificant scratches, the dogs were un
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 their adversary was not permitted
a 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 prodigious feint, in obedience
to some secret sign from Old Strategy,
that the lion whirled to strike at him.
llS StNe Olu OIIdleSy HIS CHdnCo. lie
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
hind leg, and Reserve put all his
weight and force into a grip over the
loin, stretching their enemy helpless
for moment-but only for a mo-
ment. AS soon as the great cat coulJ
muster his tired strength, he drew his
powerful body into curve. and
thrust at Old Strategy with his
lashing hind legs, compelling the dog
to let go. But the instant Old STRAIT
egy was pushed off, the painful grip
of Reserve at his ioins made the lion
curl down again, TO strike with his
fore paws, when Old Strategy pinned
his throat once more from the other
side.
So in five minutes more the battle
was ended and the three dogs had
again proved their right to the proud