The Washington herald., 1911-05-28
B F. S I F. c. F. D

upright. and trembed as the mournful cry OF
the panther fell on their ears.
Morning came at last, after what seemed
an eternity OF waiting, but there was no hope
for tho prisoners.
Through the crevice they saw the panther
moving about the ledge, with her cub crawl.
ing after her. Sometimes she came to the
mouth of the. cavern and tore at the stone.
making the place ring with her fierce snarls.
The boys had never known until now what
real hunger and thirst meant As the morn
ing wore monotonously on, their sufferngs
increased, and the murmur of the torrent far
down in the valley tempted them at times
to pull away the rock and rush out:
They shouted frequently. though they had
little hope that any one would hear. They
knew that by this time Mr.. Crummel and
their father were probably searching the
vicinity of Pike Pond. Days might elapse
before the rescue party wouli explore Mink
Run. About midday, as nearly as could be
Judged, "A shadow dimmed the crevce, over
head, and muffed scratching was heard.
Then dirt AMI bits of stone began to drop
her way in through the roof.
This new danger terrified the boys great.
". They shouted with all their might, and
threw stones up, but the angry beast went
enough to admit her entire head The yellow
eyes glared ,1own at the captives.
Faster and faster flew the dirt, and il was
evident that the determined animal would
soon be able to spring into the Tavern. Made
desperate by fear, the boys rushed to the en-
trance, intending to drag away the stone anl
rush out.
the prospect Of speedy pursuit, the loud re
port OF gun rang out, and they heard the
panther scrambling down from the rocks
I'VE are saved! There is help near at
hand, cried Nick.
He shouted With all his might, AMI loud
answer came back
The boys did not wait to make sure that
I he coast was clear. Rolling away the stone,
they crawled into the outer air just as Gid
Crummel gained the ledge, followed by MIR.
Parry and Mr.. Trimmer.
When the first joyful greeting was over,
the boys looked for the panther and her cub,
but they had disappeared.
Il saw the beast when | was part way
down the hill." exclaimed the tavernkeeper,
and took a snap shot at her. l missed her,
though, for she leaped down on the ledge,
ward. as. she shot into the bushes with the
cub in her mouth. She wont come back
here in hurry"
And how lid you find us?' asked Nick
of his father.
That's long story" replied Mr.. Trim.
mer The short of It is this: When you
boys didn't turn up by midnight, Parry and
] drove Over to Crummefs. We arrived at
daylight, and Mr. Crummcl had just come in
from Pike Pond, where he had been hunting
together then, and followed Stony Brook
pretty near to the source. On the way back
we happened to your footprints in some
wet sand at the mouth of Mink Run: 20 we
traced the channel up till we found your
rods and fish. The screech of the panther
told us the rest. And now, if you boys are
able, wen strike for home"
Nick and Don were pretty weak. but, with
rome assistance, they managed to reach the
tavern. A hearty meal put new life into
them, and they were able to return home in
the evening.
and, in spite of their unpleasant siege, the
boys felt that her motherly devotion entitled
her to life.