THTBTT YEAE8 A HUNTER. 17 



at the door they demanded who it was that desired 

 admittance. Upon learning who was at the door 

 they opened it at once, and informed him of 

 the visits of their unwelcome neighbor. lie entered, 

 and they cleared the house of the smoke, which had 

 become almost suffocating. As he stepped to the 

 door to see if the panther was near, Hamlin heard 

 his scream. He immediately started in pursuit, ac- 

 companied by his dog. As they came up, the pan- 

 ther jumped upon a rock about twenty-five feet high. 

 Hamlin did not discover him at first, but kept up a 

 search, supposing him to be up a tree. The dog saw 

 the panther, but being unable to follow, kept running 

 around in an uneasy manner. Hamlin at length 

 happened to look up the rocks and his eyes met those 

 of the panther, just as the latter was about to make 

 a spring upon him. Instantly bringing up his gun, 

 he fired with an unerring aim, and the animal came 

 tumbling heavily to the ground at Hamlin's feet. 

 The ball had penetrated its forehead. It was a very 

 large one, weighing about two hundred pounds. 



