THE
MONTHLY SCRAP BOOK.
THE PANTHER.
An American Tale.
The Panther, the name of which is chosen for the title of our story, is a native of the New World, and is more distinctively known as the "Jaguar;" but from the similarity of its appearance and habits to the Panther of our hemisphere, has acquired its name. It is considered as one of the most formidable quadrupeds of the new continent.
Elizabeth Temple and Louisa proceeded along the margin of the precipice, catching occasional glimpses of the placid Otsego, or pausing to listen to the rattling of wheels and the sounds of hammers, that rose from the valley, to mingle the signs of men with the scenes of nature; when Elizabeth suddenly started, and exclaimed—
'Listen! there are the cries of a child on this mountain! Is there a clearing near us? or can some little one have strayed from its parents?'
'Such things frequently happen,' returned Louisa. 'Let us follow the sounds; it may be a wanderer, starving on the hill.'
Urged by this consideration, the females pursued the low mournful sounds that proceeded from the forest, with quick and impatient steps. More than once, the ardent Elizabeth was on the point of announcing, that she saw the sufferer, when Louisa caught her by the arm, and, pointing behind them, cried—
'Look at the dog!
