Panther Hunting at Long Pond
No sports are more thoroughly enjoyed by robust men than those of hunting and trapping. The freedom from restraint; the mountain air and vigorous exercise; living in constant communion with Nature, with just enough of danger to add relish to a calling full of excitement and adventure-these are among the causes that lend to such an existence a charm that no other life can give.
Cyrus Dodge had a thrilling adventure at Long Pond, one of the many beautiful sheets of water found in the county of Sullivan. This pond was conspicuous in times gone by for its large trout, and for the numbers of deer found in its vicinity. One day in mid-summer, Dodge went to this lake to look for deer. He sat under some huge trees that grew near the shore, waiting for the deer to come to the water. While thus engaged, his attention was directed to a suspicious noise overhead. Looking up he saw a large catamount on a limb just above him. The animal was watching him intently, as though mentally discussing the relative merits of a man or deer for dinner. Believing there could be no merit in procrastination Dodge brought his rifle to his shoulder and fired. The next instant he heard a dull thud on the ground at his feet, and saw that the turf and dead leaves were being crimsoned by the blood of a panther in its dying throes. The report of his rifle started other lithe forms into activity among the tree-tops, and, as Dodge declared afterwards, he believed the woods were full of panthers, and realized that he was in great peril.
Knowing the aversion of the cat-tribe to water, he waded out into the lake waist deep. As he loaded his gun he counted no less than five panthers among the trees that lined the shore. They were probably a mother and her young; and the latter, though nearly grown, had continued to follow the old one. The hunter kept up a fusilade from his position in the water until three more panthers were brought down. The other two ran off and were seen no more. He then waded ashore, skinned the four panthers and made the best of his way homeward, sensibly concluding that it was a dangerous locality for deer hunting.
One day in mid-winter a hunter by the name of Sheeley discovered the track of a large animal not far from a cabin occupied by a widow. He followed the track until it led to a den in the rocks. He examined the entrance carefully, but did not care to explore the interior alone. The next day, in company with a companion, he revisited the place. The passage into the lair of the animal was very narrow, so that a person could enter only by creeping on his hands and feet. Procuring a sapling, they tied a birch bark to one extremity, and thrust the lighted end into the hole. By the light they discovered a very large panther quietly reposing in the cave. A rifle-ball speedily deprived the animal of life, and the hunters started home with their game. On their way they came upon the half-devoured carcass of a large buck, which the panther had killed, and had been feeding upon.
Sheeley discovered the track of a large animal not far from a cabin occupied by a widow. He followed the track until it led to a den in the rocks. He examined the entrance carefully, but did not care to explore the interior alone. The next day, in company with a companion, he revisited the place. The passage into the lair of the animal was very narrow, so that a person could enter only by creeping on his hands and feet. Procuring a sapling, they tied a birch bark to one extremity, and thrust the lighted end into the hole. By the light they discovered a very large panther quietly reposing in the cave. A rifle-ball speedily deprived the animal of life, and the hunters started home with their game. On their way they came upon the half-devoured carcass of a large buck, which the panther had killed, and had been feeding upon.William Woodward, while roaming through the woods in the town of Rockland, discovered a panther's den. Though entirely alone he crept into it. The lady of the house was not at home, but was absent foraging, leaving her children to take care of themselves. Woodward took up the little panther kittens, thrust them inside his torn shirt, and carried them home. Had the old mother panther discovered him in the act of purloining her little ones, this story would have had a different ending.Peter Stewart and a young friend were once hunting in this town, but with no success. Game seemed to be scarce. They examined the mountain runways, and the crossings in the soft spongy soil of the valleys, without finding the print of a hoof. While passing near a ledge they discovered a hole in the rocks, near which were a number of bones of deer and other animals. This they concluded was the lair of some wild beast, which was in the habit of bringing food home to its young. Examining carefully the priming of their guns, they secreted themselves within easy gun-shot of the hole, and awaited the development of events. In a few moments they saw a bear come out of the hole with a young panther in his mouth. As Stewart's friend was about to shoot, the other signaled him to withhold his fire. The bear quickly crunched the life out of the kitten, went back into the hole, and presently issued forth with another one struggling in his teeth. Bruin had come upon a panther family in the absence of the old ones, and had thought this was his opportunity. As he crushed this second kitten between his jaws, it gave a loud squeal. The cry was heard by its mother who happened to be returning home. Soon there was heard the sound of swift feet, and the crashing through brush and dry branches of some rapidly moving body. Then a large panther merged into view, with eyes blazing and hair bristling--boding dire vengeance on the despoiler of its home.
The bear saw the panther coming, and his animal instinct took in the situation. He saw he was about to reap the fruits of his indiscretion. He made an awkward effort to shamble away, but was too closely pursued by the infuriated beast; to escape he took refuge in a tree. But the tree afforded no asylum from the sharp claws and teeth of the panther. The bear rolled himself into a ball and dropped to the ground, and again essayed to shuffle off. His antagonist was once more upon him; and forced to extremities Bruin turned to fight and a fierce and bloody conflict ensued. The hunters were meanwhile looking on with breathless interest while the actors in this drama of the forest were contributing to their entertainment. However, the end was soon reached. The bear proved no match for his adversary, and the feline monster, fastening its teeth in the shoulder of his victim, with its hind feet ripped out his intestines. The hunters now both fired upon the panther and killed it. Then skinning both animals, they hung the bear meat out of the reach of wolves, and went for assistance to take the carcass home.
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