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 mountain side, 
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 secreted 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- 
fectly 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- 
proaching too 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 accordingly came down with that intention. 
Knowing so well the nature of our adversary, 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 encum- 
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 offered so much 
security. We now resolved to try other measures to dislodge 
our enemy, and commenced by threshing at the aperture 
with a long stout pole; but this failed alike, with the other 
means we had 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 to shoot 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 part 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 im- 
possible to direct aim at it with any degree of certainty; 
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. 
