A hunter's life. 289 



panthership cared not if hat, coat, and pantaloons had all 

 been there ; he was determined to have the venison ; and 

 accordingly he made free to use nearly all the best pieces 

 before I came along. 



I took the track, which led to a terrible laurel-swamp ; 

 and, as I knew I was near his quarters, I sent in my inex- 

 perienced dog, and followed him as fast as possible. Pre- 

 sently I heard the dog in full chase ; but in a short time 

 he ceased his yelping, and returned to me. I sent him 

 back, knowing that the panther had taken to a tree. 



Reuben started ofif again, and I heard him once more 

 in full cry ; but after a little while he became quiet, and 

 came back to me. I sent him off the third time, and he 

 was such a fool that he would go as often as I told him ; 

 but I understood the panther too well to be put off that 

 way ; as his plan was, when he found the dog coming, to 

 jump high up into a tree, and the foolish dog was unable 

 to find where he went. As soon as the dog left the place, 

 the panther would leap off and run ; but when the dog 

 came back, he would again jump into a tree. 



Knowing what he was at, I kept getting still nearer to 

 him every time he treed. The last time I sent the dog in, 

 he took to a tree again ; but having changed his course, 

 to keep himself in the thickest of the laurel, and as I kept 

 a good look-out, I saw him standing on a limb, just pre- 

 paring to jump off. I called to him, to stop him from 

 leaping, and fired in haste at his breast, though at a long 

 range ; but, being determined to fire at all risks, I brought 

 (he panther down. 



By this time, my foolish dog having come back to see 

 if I was safe, I sent him off again ; when, hearing a great 

 bustle, I loaded, and hurrying forward, discovered his pan- 

 thership, backed under some thick laurels, and his head 

 the only part of him to be seen. Before he got into that 

 safe place, however, ray young dog had fought him cou- 

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