The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-06-13
IN GRANTHAM MOUNTAIN.
By Agnes Bliss Barden.
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caught and had to be extricated; roots
clutched at our feet and briers tore our
skin. Then that cry sounGed again, so
near that we knew our pursuer was al
ready on the ridge close behind. Fran
tic with fear we dashed headlong
round projecting mass of rock, and
were face to face with a black hole,
into which Thad scrambled without q
moments hesitation. l followed close
on his heels There was room enough
after we had squeezed through the
narrow opening, and we could see the
hard door beneath MS strewn with
seat stones, stretching away into
darkness.
Block the holel Block the holeg
gasped. and together we strove with
all our might TO roll a stone before the
opening.
Something hurled itself against the
obstruction as 1t went into place. We
felt the force of the blow as we des-
perately held up the barricade, and
through the cracks we could see
great. tawny colored beast striving to
rend the solid rock with her powerful
claws. Her shrleks of baftied rage
were answered from the back Of the
cave with snarls and crlesl
.Thad groaned as the truth flashed
upon us. We were in the panther's
den. WAS the mate back there in that
blaekness? Cold perspiration broke out
over us as we braced our backs against
the barrier. There was stir in the
rear of the den. Was 1t coming now?
We shrank closer together and shook
as with ague.
Something hot struck the back Of
my head aud neck. and felt the blood
run. With yell that raised a pande-
l,mOnium Of growls. snarls and spits.
wheeled round and saw that the old
panther had worked her paw through
a crack between our barricade and the
mouth Of the den, and was slowly Wild
enlng the breach Her head was par
TALLY through the opening. and at my
shout her eyes blazed more fiercely, but
she did not draw back. The heavy
boulder was slowly being showed aside
and we could not hold it.
"In despair l drove my clinched fist
! into her face. and the outstretched
claws. already wet with blood. only
strained the more to reach me. Snatch
ing up the gun l showered blows on
her with the clumsy butt, but they
only maddened the desperate beast.
Lunging and leaping. pushing and
\ clawIng, she crept farther and farther,
inch by inch. inside. while Thad
braced his feet against the wall Of the
den and held on In grim despair.
II swung the gun round and thrust
with the iron barrel again and again
at the panther. With shrieks OF rage
and pain the brute jerked back her
head. kept deliriously thrusting
pounding. clubbing. till Thad swung
the stone into place again; then WI
both braced it. facing the darkness
within and trembled.
~'I won't stand this Thad whls
pered. finally I'm going to strike a
light. Here, hold the gun; I've loaded
| it,
Il nervously clutched the weapoT
and felt Thad searching his. pockets
There was the scratch of a match. ant
what seemed to us like an hour befor,
It fiared up and we saw the interior Of
the den plainly. There was but on,
entrance, and In the farther corner
were curled up two panther kittens.
Il fairly sobbed in relief and joy
and rather think that Thad Joined in
But at the strange noises the cubs be
gan calling for thels mother, and fear
full Of her strength we hauled heav!
stones to strengthen the barrier.
1--WE we're in comparative safety 70
the present, and for that fact were de
voutly thankful, but our position wa
far from being an envlable one. In to
tai darkness, shut up in a den amonl
the Jocks of Grantham Mountain
where no one would ever look for us
or find us IL they did. our jailer an en-
, ragged pantherthe prospect was no
cheering.
I'VE grew hungry as darkness sci
, tied over the outside world. and W
! thought of the hot supper awaiting Il
| at home with fervent longlngs. w
/ chewed some spruce gum, which W