Year: 1869

utSW my IiHC W my ldCo dHu Wdit-
ed. 1t was but a moment when | dis
tinctly beheld the glitter of two fiery
balls which could be none other than
panther. Without hesitation | fired.
A loud, prolonged howl of pain fol-
lowed, so fierce and maddened that |
knew the beast was mortally wound
ed. Twisting, rolling, crawling, the
creature made its way to the tree
body, and ere | had time to recover
from my curiosity and surprise, it was
actually climbing the oak ! Very slow
ly it came, for the blood evidently
blinded it's eyes and choked its throat.
| had aimed at the eyes, and doubt
less had struck it full in the face, tear
ing away portion of its scalp, the
ball burying itself in the shoulder or
bosom. This l surmised from the
character of the animals movements.
Up the tree it came, slowly, but
firmly, growing fercely with each
pang. could see all fully, and pre-
pared to use the knife, my rife having
been secured to the limbs overhead.
In few moments the lower limbs
were reached, and over one Of them
the panther twined its body. Then |
discovered that it trul y was monarch
of the forest with which | had to deal
"a creature fully seven feet long,
from muzzle to tail-tip. Fear was as
far from me at that moment as if a
fawn was slung over the tree forks. |
was ready for the encounter.


1t came without delay. Crawling
out to its full length on the lower
limb, the beast suddenly raised itself
erect and threw its body forward and
upward with all it's remaining
strength-its jaws distended and its
paws striking vengefully at my pro-
jecting knees, as | sat. | had prefer
red to remain in that position to clasp
the tree-stem with one hand and to
throw the full weight of my balanced
frame into the stroke | should deal.
The dash at me was the signal for the
stroke, and my keen blade sweeping,
by side thrust, struck the animal in
the ribs at the very moment its paws
touched my clothing.


Such half howl, half shrek as rent
the air, was truly appalling. 1t was
the cry of baffied rage and of mortal
agony, and the gigantic cat fell to
the earth with heavy thud-dead.


| at once regained my rifle; for now
that the scent of blood was on the
air, we'll knew that the wolves would
soon be there. 1t seemed as if the
tamished herd whose cry | had heard
not only smelled the blood, but flew
to the spot, for 1t was, apparently, not
three minutes ere at last a score of
the snarling, yelping brutes were circ-
ling around the oak. | sat still. con-
tent to let the ravenous things fill
their stomachs with the dead panther
After a circuit or two around the
tree the whole pack dashed forward
to the feast, and instantly became one
bowling mass, tearing away at the
carcass with a voracity which, in less
than a minute, left not morsel unde-
voured. | gazed down less in curios-
ity or dismay than in disgust, and
without reflection discharged my rife
in their midst.


1t was a foolish act, knew as soon
as it was done, for up to that moment
my presence appeared not to have
been known. The shot pierced the
body of one great gaunt dog, who
bounded off to the forest, pursued by
every one of his fellows. In a little
while the horrid carnival was at its
height, and almost before | could re-
load the weapon, the pack was again
beneath me, this time bounding up in
to the air in a vain endeavor to reach
my roo8t. One big brute alone sat
apart from the rest, licking his jaws
as if his share of the feast had salts
fed his keenest cravings. Ny wolf
hate again induced me to raise my ri
fe This time | shot through the
heart, and the animal fell over and
lay dead some moments ere the others
scented his blood. Then, in an in.
credibly short space Of time, that body
was devoured, and the now perfectly
frenzied creatures rushed to and fro
around the tree, their tongues protrud-
ing, growing and bowling, until it
seemed as if should go mad al the
pandemoniac Serenade.


All at once the noise ceased, and
in twinkling the wolves were gone
Astonished, | awaited the cause. Had
some Of my companions, hearing the
noise, come to my relief? My heart
gave a great bound at the thought
But no sign of any human presence
was given, and | was left to conjec-
ure.


But not long; for moving back and
forth, on the outskirts of the opening,
| beheld a form which | soon ascer-
tanned to be that of another panther
probably the mate of the one l had
killed. The new conner did not ap-
pear to be aware OF my presence
The smell of blood on the soil over
loaded the air with the sanguine scent
and bewildered the cautious beast, for
it passed to and fro ceaselessly, utter
ing a low growl all the while.


Should | shoot it the light was too
dim for anything like good aim. If
| missed fire it would be my doom.
resolved to wait for further develope-
ments.


Something which [ did-some IN
conscious movement which [ made
seemed suddenly to arrest the pan
theirs attention. In an instant it was
on its belly, lashing the ground with
its tail, working its way toward the
oak. The foliage was so thick that |
for moment lost sight of my enemy.
In that moment it dashed up close to