We've done run him into a rough, wild stretch of country where settlements is few an' cabins roode.

Of a sudden, the panther emerges onto the road an' goes rackin' along the trail.

We pushes our spent steeds to the utmost.
"'Thar's a log house ahead; out in the stump-filled lot in front is a frowsy woman an' five small children.

The panther leaps the rickety worm-fence an' heads straight as a bullet for the cl'arin'! Horrors! the sight freezes our marrows! Mad an' savage, he's doo to bite a hunk outen that devoted household! Mutooally callin' to each other, we goads our hosses to the utmost.

We gain on the panther! He may wound but he won't have time to slay that fam'ly.
"'Gents, it's a soopreme moment! The panther makes for the female squatter an' her litter, we pantin' an' pressin' clost behind.