CREATURES OF MYSTERY 
85 
forests and river swamps—a region, incidentally, where any¬ 
thing one can imagine might very easily happen. Reference is 
made to the lowlands bordering the Okefenokee Swamp. His 
humble log shack, split rail fence (Abe Lincoln style), and 
the scuppernong grape arbor situated conveniently near, con¬ 
stituted part of a picture which fitted perfectly into the whole 
of his domicile. Taking a look beyond his limited plantation, 
one observed a new and verdant growth of Southern cypress 
leading on and ever on to that certain point where the earth 
and sky appear to meet, the same fringing the borders of the 
great Swamp. Black bear roamed the woods at night, top¬ 
pling over beehives, devouring the farmers’ pigs, committing 
all manner of depredations—in general, seeking whatsoever he 
might devour. Pedestrians going forth by night consequently 
must keep a close lookout for bear, but in so doing could never 
be quite sure that all was secure behind them. The panther, 
one of the most ferocious members of the cat family, might 
still be encountered in this vicinity. The bobcats, with their 
topaz eyes and Chester Arthur whiskers, might be upon your 
very heels when least expected. They were eternally stalking 
men by night, not so much with the thought in mind of staging 
an attack, but rather that they might keep fit in their art. No 
matter what their reasons might be for trailing along, it does 
not give the average pedestrian a very secure feeling to look 
backward and through the pale moonlight observe a pair of 
burning eyes peering into his own from such a forbidding 
countenance. 
As the old gentleman involved in this story sat down to his 
meals each day, his dining room being on the porch, he had 
an unobstructed view of his cherished possessions hereinbefore 
described. “Tabby,” his old tom cat, usually occupied a seat 
upon the windowsill, with tail hanging straight down outside, 
facing the master of the household, waiting for some feminine 
voice to say, “Here, Tabby,” as they placed a saucer full of 
milk upon the windowsill. But on this particular day Tabby 
was conspicuous by reason of his absence. In fact, every mem¬ 
ber of the household took notice of it no sooner than the table 
had been graced. Taking a look out of the window toward the 
