AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 



139 



six feet, then horizontally about thirty, to the extreme end ; 

 the ground outside was perhaps two feet higher than the 

 floor of the den, in consequence of dirt, leaves, and other 

 rubbish accumulating and dropping from the mountainside, 

 and the water, by dripping from the rocks, had descended 

 along the inclined part of the den, and so frozen, as to form 

 a sheet of Ice to a considerable depth into it. As we could 

 discover no other opening to the cave but the one already 

 mentioned, nor any track which could prove its departure 

 from that spot, we felt confident that the Panther had taken 

 refuge there. We had now a most formidable antagonist 

 to contend with, and as several years had elapsed since I 

 killed a wild animal, it was a moment of thrilling interest — 

 to destroy an animal like this was the sum total of my 

 wishes, and the highest point to which a hunter desires to 

 attain. I therefore requested of my companion permission 

 to descend, (as we were at this time on the ledge of rocks,) 

 and shoot the Panther, which I supposed was seci-eted be- 

 neath our feet, and would make his appearance as soon as I 

 approached the spot of his concealment. I accordingly de- 

 scended, and it was not till then that we were certain he 

 had taken refuge in the den. I approached within twenty 

 feet of the cave, or to a distance which I considered per- 

 i'ectl}' secure from the creature's jump, in case it made an 

 attempt to come out, or that would give me the advantage 

 of shooting before it could make a spring at me. Having 

 encountered these animals frequently, I was cautious of ap- 

 proachingtoo near; but my companion, who was still on the 

 ledge of rocks, kept urging me to go up to the mouth 

 of the den and endeavour to see the animal and shoot it; 

 but I replied, " do not push me into difficulties too fast." 

 He answered, that if I did not go to the mouth of the den, 

 he would, and according'.y came down with that intention. 

 Knowingso wellthe nature of ouradversary, we used every 

 precautionary measure, previous to an attack, and com- 

 menced clearing the snow from the mouth of the cave, 

 to a distance of twenty feet, so that, in case the Panther 

 attacked us, we could retreat that distance without encurri- 

 brance to our feet. When this was done, we commenced 

 pelting the mouth of the cave with snow balls; but it would 

 not excite our enemy to motion. We drew the conclusion, 

 from this circumstance, that the Panther, either from cowar- 

 dice or security, would not risk an attempt to leave the 

 cave. We approached the opening, and then the animal 

 retired to the depth of its retreat. Our appearance now ex- 

 cited its displeasure, which was manifested by tremendous 

 growls, that made the rocks ring again: it still seemed 

 unwilling to depart from a place, which oflcred so much 

 security. Wenovvresolvedto try othermeasurestodislodge 

 oyr enemy, and commenced by threshing at the aperture 

 with a long stout pole; but this failed alike, with the other 

 means we bad employed to rouse it to action. Emboldened 



at last by its cowardice, we attempted to punch it; but 

 this had no other effect than to produce the most appal- 

 ling growls, and spitting like a cat. Lion, himself, seemed 

 sensible of the creature's want of spirit; and was with diffi- 

 culty restrained from dashing in to the combat, in which 

 event, his life would have paid the forfeit, without ren- 

 dering us any assistance. Being convinced that nothing 

 would induce the Panther to leave its strong hold, I 

 formed the resolution of shooting it, if possible, in its 

 very den. I requested my friend to stand in readiness 

 to shoot, or let the dog in, in case I failed, or the Pan- 

 ther should spring at me. This arrangement made, I 

 succeeded in getting a small distance into the cave, and 

 after remaining some time, could see perfectly well. I 

 found, however, that there was no chance to shoot it, even 

 when so near; as, instead of getting to the extreme end of 

 the den, the Panther had concealed itself behind a rock, 

 which jutted so much above the bottom of the cave, as to 

 shield it completely from my view. The animal's cowar- 

 dice increased my courage so much, that I determined on 

 using every means to destroy it. I requested my compa- 

 nion to procure me a long pole to punch it with. My 

 plan was to lay my rifle parallel with the pole, and the mo- 

 ment the Panther seized the end with his mouth, to fire; 

 and thus hoped toshoot him directly in the head; and should 

 I be unsuccessful, and the Panther make a rush, I was to 

 fall flat on my front, provided I could not get out in time, 

 and let it run over me to escape. My friend, who was a 

 bold man, and a first rate shot, was to kill it as soon as it 

 appeared; or, if the Panther stopped to give me battle, was 

 to let the dog enter and seize it; and thus give me a 

 chance to retire. I knew this was the only mode; for were 

 I to present any obstacle to the animal's progress, as that it 

 could not conveniently pass, my life would pay the forfeit 

 in so doing: but I had good reason to doubt its courage, 

 and, therefore, felt no great alarm for my safety. 



My friend having procured the pole, I put my plan into 

 operation: the first push I made roused the anger and fero- 

 city of my enemy, and convinced me that nothing but cow- 

 ardice on its pait saved me from utter destruction. The 

 cave echoed and trembled with his growling. The Panther 

 seized the end of the pole with so much fury as to bend it 

 over the rock, and still kept its head from my view. So 

 long as I tried to pull the stick, the animal kept a firm hold ; 

 but the moment I ceased pulling, it also relaxed its hold. 

 The actions of this creature were so quick, that it was iin- 

 possible to direct aim at it with any degree of certaintj-; 

 and on raising its head to seize the pole, the flashes from its 

 eyes were distinct, but so quick were they out of sight, that 

 it resembled, more than any thing else, sparks struck from 

 a flint. So strong was this animal, that with both my hands, 

 and utmost strength, I could not pull its head one inch. 



