The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-06-15
BY Agnes Bliss Harden.

caught and had to be eXtricated: root
ciutched at our feet and briers tore on
skin. Then that cry sounded again. s
near that we knew our pursuer was a
ready on the ridge close behind. Frar
tlc with fear we dashed headlon
round projecting mass of rock, an
were face to face with black hole
INTO which Thad scrambled without
moments hesitation. I followed clos
on his heels. There was room enouSl
after We had squeezed through thu
narrow opening, and We could see til.
hard floor beneath us strewn witt
great stones, stretching away into
darkness.
"'Biock the hole! Block the holer
gasped, and together we strove with
all our might to roll stone before the
opening.
something hurled itself against the
obstruction as it went into place. We
telt the force of the blow as we des.
perately held up the barricade, and
through the cracks we could see q
great, tawny colored beast striving to
rend the solid rock with her powerful
claws. Her shrieks of baffled rage
were answered from the back of the
| cave with snarls and cries!
"Thad groaned as the truth flashed
upon us. We We're in the panther's
den. Was the mate back there in that
blackness? Cold perspiration broke out
over us as we braced our backs against
the barrier. There was stir in the
rear of the den. Was it coming now?
we shrank closer together and shook
as with ague.
something hot struck the back of
my head and neck, and felt the blood
run. With a yell that raised a pande-
monium of growls, snarls and spits I
wheeled round and saw that the old
panther had worked her paw through
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 fercely, but
she did not draw back. The heavy
boulder was slowly being showed aside
and we could not hold it.
I'm despair 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 I 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
Draced his feet against the wall of the
den and held on in grim despair.
Il 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 thrustins,
pounding, clubbing, till Thad swung
the stone into place again; then we
both braced it, facing the darkness
within and trembled.
won't stand this Thad whis-
'ered, finally. I'm going to strike a
light. Here, hold the gun; I've loaded
t.
Il nervously clutchec the weapon
md felt Thad searching his pockets.
There was the scratch of a match, and
What seemed to us like an hour before
t f1ared up and we saw the interior of
he den plainly. There was but one
ntrance. and in the farther corner
we're curled up two panther kittens!
Il fairly sobbed in relief and joy,
nd I rather think that Thad Joined in. ,
'ut at the strange noises the cubs be-
an calling for thei: mother, and fear
III of her strength we hauled heavy
tones to strengthen the barrier.
We were in comparative safety for
he present. and for that fact were de-
outly thankful. but our position was
ar from being an enviable one. In to-
al darkness, shut up in den among
he rocks of Grantham Mountain. l
here no ore would ever look for US,
= find us if they did. our jailer an en- '
aged ranther-the prospect was not t
heering. e
We grew hungry as darkness set '
ed over the outside world. and we
lousht of the hot supper awaiting us
t home with fervent longings. We O
lewed some spruce gum, which we