GRAND CIRCULAR HUNT. 17 



stantly torn to pieces. At our approach the panther 

 crouched still closer to the body of his victim, seemingly 

 meditating another leap. The major's rifle was in- 

 stantly leveled, but he was fearful that he might strike 

 the negro, and hesitated. Fortunately, at that instant, 

 a fierce attack of the dog behind, incommoded the pan- 

 ther so much that he thought it best to retreat. With 

 one bound he reached the foot of the tree, and was soon 

 high up among the branches. As he sat crouching ia 

 the fork, showing his white teeth, and snapping his eyes 

 until they seemed to emit sparks of fire, the major again 

 raised his piece there was a sharp, quick report, and the 

 animal sprang from the tree with convulsive energy, and 

 fell dead upon the ground. The ball had struck imme- 

 diately between his eyes. 



We ran and raised Pompey from the ground, and ex- 

 amined his wounds. " Oh, massa Wiley, me dead for 

 sartain," sobbed the poor fellow ; " pooh-hoo-hoo." But 

 he was much more frightened than hurt. Though con- 

 siderably torn in his thigh and side, none of his wounds 

 were dangerous. It seemed that Willie, who as usual 

 was ahead of his keeper, had got into the thicket, and 

 seeing the panther among the branches of the tree, waa 

 taking aim for a sure shot, when Pompey broke through 

 the bushes, and seeing the panther, uttered a terrific 

 scream that disconcerted the hunter and caused him to 

 miss his aim. Simultaneously with the report, the pan- 

 ther leaped upon the negro, and bore him to the ground. 

 Little Willie, frightened almost to death, commenced re- 

 loading his gun and screaming for assistance. It hap- 

 pened very fortunately for both, that we were so near. 

 2 



