Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-05-26

AT this moment the full moonlight
fell upon the tree-top and bathed it
in mellow radiance which at once
revealed the outline of the panther's
powerful form crouching close along
the tree-trunk; and even lit up the
tawny yellow of his skin. Instantly
the great beast showed his dislike Of
the exposure by creeping farther on
among the branches, heralding the
move by q half-supprcssed angry
snarl.
Vernon was glad Of the moments
respite in which to think. He argued
that the lion would not venture leap
direct to the ground-a straight fall
OF twenty feet, but would first descend
the tree-trunk part way, and then make
his spring. He had already taken his
stand near the lower end Of the slant
ing tree, and now he saw that the
lion would be forced to advance
straight toward him, which of course
his opportunity.
IF he only waits till the moonlight
comes" thought Vernon, anXiously.
For he knew that until the moonlight
touched the sights of his rifle there
could be no certainty in his aim; and
to fire the shotgun at that distance
would be hazardous in the extreme,
while to advance into the moonlight
would be equally so, for lie could then
be covered at one spring from the
panther's hiding place,
Only wait, only wait, old felloww
Vernon repeated to himself, with in
creasing anxiety, as the critical mo-
ment drew nearer.
But the panther was already creep
ing forward along the tree-trunk. AS
he emerged from the partial shelter
he stopped, stood up to his full height,
barred his teeth, and snarled a savage
snarl of defiance. Vernon hadn't real
lied before how big and terrible he
would look! For n moment he almost
wished they were back in the cabin.
Morton grasped him by the jacket at
the back; and Duke growled a fierce,
long, gutteral growl, while every briS-
tie along his back stood erect.
The panther surveyed the scene with
a calmness and deliberation calculated
to unnerve any but the steadicst hand.
He seemed to be weighing the rela-
tive costs of retreating and of ad-
vancing. Vernon was suddenly seized
by strong temptation to fire. But
he knew that to miss the right spot
by so much as an inch might be
fatal-he dared not move, and the line
of the moonlight on the ground before
him was still three feet away! 1t was
a trying moment.
Then the panther began to advance.
He crouched, and crept slowly forward
step by step, snarling and laying back
his ears in an ugly manner, while he
kept his wicked, cleaning eyes fixed
steadily upon the trio.
Vernon felt his flesh begin to creep
and his hair to stiffen, and his heart
suddenly jumped and began pounding
against the wall Of his chest. "Eiew
he said to himself, clenching his teeth
and fists.
1t was over in an instant (Vernon
was really boy Of splendid courage),
and his thoughts were again fixed on
the business before him-and none
too soon!
The panther had stopped. He
crouched lower. The tip of his long
tail began to lash from side to side,
his head was low and pushed far
forward; his thin lips twitched ner-
vously, and his ugly claws dug into the
bark Nprnnn did 30 =.
that the lion meant to spring, and that
to delay an instant would be fatal.
The rifle rose to his shoulder-Ah. the
moonlight fell full upon the sights.
rising roar was met by clear sharp
report, which rang back from the
cliff and echoed again as q tawny body
whirled through the air and fell in Il
shapeless, quivering mass on the
ground below.
Murray" shouted Morton, rs the
pent-up NERVOUSNESS escaped in Il wild
yell of delight.
1t was the proudest moment OF Yer
mons life as he looked down at the
great beasts outstretched form.
THE standing up to it was the
"oist, sdlu vernon, as he thought of
how he had to pull himself together
when the panther began to creep to-
ward him along the tree trunk, utter
ing that ugly, kissing snarl.
He stopped down and lifted the huge.
block-shaped head, and saw that the
bullet had passed through the brain
and out on the back of the neck.
Must have smashed his neck, too"
he said, thoughtfully. Then his eyes
swept over the handsome length Of the
skin, and he exclaimed: by George.
but that'll make trophy! l say, Mort,
Wen have it dressed and keep it! Old
Mason II do it for u.s." And as the i5ea
caught their imaginations, they danced
and circled about their prize in the
moonlight like young savages, and the
walls of the canon rang again and
again with their glee.
Lion Hunting by n Lady.
In Pearson's Weekly Mrs. Einde tells