A Rival of Israel Putnam
Every schoolboy has heard the story of Israel Putnam and the wolf. Comparatively few have heard of the similar experience of a lad in a panther den at Callicoon. Without detracting from the glory of Putnam, we think the story of little William Lane, of Callicoon, worthy of honorable mention.
William Lane, of Callicoon, worthy of honorable mention. In the spring of 1843 the track of a very large panther was discovered, and a party of hunters turned out and followed it to its den in a ledge of rocks. Closing up the entrance to the cave carefully, they went home, proposing to return next day with reinforcements.
The following day they were on the ground and found everything as they had left it. They first dislodged the rocks for about twenty feet, or half way to the extremity of the den, so as to admit the passage of a man to that point; beyond this they found the hole too small and the surrounding material immovable. A small lamp was tied to the end of a pole and thrust inward far enough to enable the “fiery eye-balls” of the monster to be seen. A candle was next placed so that the light would shine on the barrel of a rifle, and thus enable the daring man who attempted to shoot the panther to take sure aim. The first shot was fired by William Adams, who wounded the game, causing it to scream so terribly that every one fled from the spot, fearing the enraged creature would emerge and rend them in pieces. Except a few contusions, caused by a hasty scramble over fallen tree-trunks and scraggy rocks, no damage was incurred. One by one the hunters returned and obtained a furtive view of the scene of terror. All seemed quiet, and after a hasty consultation, the entrance was again securely walled up and the place abandoned for the night.
On the third day all the men and boys that the surrounding country afforded were assembled to witness the sport. They were armed with an endless variety of weapons,-rifles, shot-guns, bayonets, hatchets, axes, crowbars, and butcher knives. It was agreed to resume the plan of operations adopted the day previous. The boulders were once more rolled away from the entrance, and the lights properly placed. A brother of William Adams, the hero of the previous day, went into the passage as far as he was able and fired. The same scene followed as on the second day, the screams of the panther causing a panic in the whole crowd, and the forty men and boys ran as if life depended on the celerity of their flight.
William Adams, the hero of the previous day, went into the passage as far as he was able and fired. The same scene followed as on the second day, the screams of the panther causing a panic in the whole crowd, and the forty men and boys ran as if life depended on the celerity of their flight. The company rallied sooner than on the former occasion, however, and John Hankins fired the third shot, prostrating the panther in his lair. But how to get him out was the difficulty. None but a lad could enter; and now was a rare opportunity last moment his courage failed him. Next a spirited little fellow named William Lane threw off his coat, hat and vest, and arming himself with a hunting axe and dirk, went into the den, accompanied by Mr. Hankins as far as the latter could get. While his friends remained outside in breathless suspense, young Lane cautiously crept through the narrow passage, pausing occasionally to listen. The panther still exhibited signs of life, as the boy could see by the faint light of his lamp. As soon as young Lane was within reach he buried the blade of his axe in its brain, and then applied the dirk to its throat-very hazardous experiment. The young hero then ended his adventure, by hauling out the body of the panther, which proved to be the largest of its kind.
John Hankins fired the third shot, prostrating the panther in his lair. But how to get him out was the difficulty. None but a lad could enter; and now was a rare opportunity last moment his courage failed him. Next a spirited little fellow named William Lane threw off his coat, hat and vest, and arming himself with a hunting axe and dirk, went into the den, accompanied by Mr. Hankins as far as the latter could get. While his friends remained outside in breathless suspense, young Lane cautiously crept through the narrow passage, pausing occasionally to listen. The panther still exhibited signs of life, as the boy could see by the faint light of his lamp. As soon as young Lane was within reach he buried the blade of his axe in its brain, and then applied the dirk to its throat-very hazardous experiment. The young hero then ended his adventure, by hauling out the body of the panther, which proved to be the largest of its kind.Table of Contents