Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-06-06

benevolence had gone out OF them now,
and knew that was facing a creature
without pity, four-footed murderer.
"For a moment both the cougar and
had forgotten Jeroboam. II seemed i'm
possible that he could have an ounce OF
fight left in him, and when he passed ME,
gaShed and bleeding, but with his little
green eyes fully as murderous as the
cats, and quite steady on his legs,
cried oIt in sudden and unavailing pro-
test:
"'Come back, Jerry-he'll kill you
"But Jerry ducked and rushed head
long into the waiting claws OF his antag-
oniSt. He was hurled OFF, Squealing
murder and sudden death: and as the
cougar followed him, so swiftly that |
could hardly catch more than a flash of
his yellow body, they were again tearing
at each other. noticed that one of the
cougars fore paws hung limp, but the
terrible use he made of his teeth and hind
legs would have torn into shreds any
animal not composed OF 'whalebone and
rawhide.'
Gerry was fighting the battle OF his
life, and he realized il; he had quit
Squealing, and was centering his attack
on the tawny breast and abdomen OF the
cat. For one long, awful, almost silent
moment they tore at each other, only the
gasping breath of one or the other and
hoarse, worrying, subdued growl from
the cougar telling OF the strain OF the ter
nble battle.
"TheY rolled over and over so fast
that could not have struck at one with
out danger OF hitting the other. cir
cled helpleSsly about, posing the AK and
waiting for an opening; but the next
instant they staggered apart, and Jero-
boam backed uncertainty into a corner.
His eyes burned red'and green, and his
tusks were grinding furiously; out no
second glance was needed to see that he
was exhausted.
perhaps the cougar recognized this
weakness, for he quickly pulled himself
over and settled back, twitching and
making false starts; then he shot like a
great yellow boulder straight over Jerry,
and seemed about TO land Squarely on
his back.
~ ran toward them, thinking that the
fatal moment had come and that my friend
was going TO be torn TO pieces; but in
that instant Jeroboam had Shrunk TO one
side, and with dazed eyes saw his tusks
sink through the unprotected shoulder
joint nearest TO him. | could hear the
bones and tendons crunch, and a scream
of rage and fear came from the cougar.
"No living animal could endure the
torment of that Sinew crushing grip.
The cougar wasn't fighting now; he was
simply striving with all the might OF his
muscular body to shake off the hold OF
those iron jaws. And when he did Sue
ceed in tearing himself free, there was a
rush of yellow past me, and Jeroboam
stood alone, none TOO firmly, but champ
ing his tusks and looking wickedly about.
"When father rode into the yard few
minutes later, had washed Jeroboam's
wounds as well as could. He was ter
ribly cut and gashed. and was sobbing
out my grief, for | was sure that he would
die. Father looked him over and assured
me he wouldn't.
"'He's too mean TO die he said, try
ing to joke me out OF my terror. Run IN
and get the liniment off the clock shelf
and well fix him up better than ever
well make a positive beauty Of him
while we're about it,
"'He couldn't be more beautiful il he
had wings, said, resentfully."
tick-witfPd Irish pir WAS being