Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/123

, required the most vigorous exertions: for this end it was necessary to discommode myself of my cloak, and of my volume, which I carried in the pocket of my cloak: I believed there was no reason to dread their being destroyed or purloined, if left for a few hours or a day in this recess; if laid beside a stone, under shelter of this cliff, they would no doubt remain unmolested till the disappearance of the storm should permit me to revisit this spot in the afternoon or on the morrow.

Just as I had disposed of these encumbrances, and had risen from my seat, my attention was again called to the opposite steep by the most unwelcome object that, at this time, could possibly occur: something was perceived moving among the bushes and rocks, which, for a time, I hoped was no more than a racoon or opossum; but which presently appeared to be a panther. His grey coat, extended claws, fiery eyes, and a cry which he at that moment uttered, and which, by its resemblance to the human voice, is peculiarly terrific, denoted him to be the most ferocious and untameable of that detested race.

The industry of our hunters has nearly banished animals of prey from these precincts: the fastnesses of Norwalk, however, could not but afford refuge to some of them. Of late I had met them so rarely, that my fears were seldom alive, and I trod without caution the most rugged and solitary haunts: still, however, I had seldom been unfurnished in my rambles with the means of defence.

My temper never delighted in carnage and blood; I found no pleasure in plunging into bogs, wading through rivulets, and penetrating thickets, for the sake of despatching woodcocks and squirrels: to watch their gambols and flittings, and invite them to my hand, was my darling amusement when loitering among the woods and the rocks. It was much otherwise, however, with regard to rattlesnakes and panthers; these I thought it no breach of duty to exterminate wherever they could be found: these_ins1dious and sanguinary spoilers were equally the enemies of