178

pleasure, like every other, was short-
lived. Alas, poor Mousey! One morn-
ing, I carelessly allowed the door to
stay open so long after me, that Othello
slyly slipped in, and, unobserved by
either Annie or myself, lay quietly down
at my feet. Our favorite appeared on
the shelf, and commenced playing his
antics as usual. But he had_ hardly
commenced, when I was startled by
finding something move at my feet; the
next moment, a huge body bounded
through the air, and, in an instant,
(shocking to relate !) poor Mousey’s fate
was sealed—he was a prisoner within the
jaws of Othello. Annie and I both
rushed to the spot. Othello, whose
taste for mice was quite as decided as
ours, though it showed itself in another
way, was true to his nature; neither
threats nor coaxing prevailed to obtain
the release of his captive. Poor Mousey
was killed before our eyes. M.

Strange Instinct of the Deer.

ue large American panther has
one inveterate and deadly foe, the
black bear. Some of these im-
mense bears will weigh eight hun-
dred pounds, and their skin is so tough
that a musket-ball will not penetrate
it. As the panther invariably destroys
all the cubs which come in her path, so
does the bear take great pains to de-
stroy the panther, and fortunate in-
deed is that animal who escapes the
embrace of this black monster. The
following exciting and interesting scene

 

 

"mE YOUTH’S CABINET.

is related by a gentleman who was an
eye-witness :

A large deer was running at full
speed, closely pursued by a panther.
The chase had been a long one; for as
they came nearer, I could perceive both
of their long, parched tongues hanging
out of their mouths, and their bounding,
though powerful, was no longer elastic
as usual. The deer having discovered
in the distance a large black bear, play-
ing with her cubs, stopped a moment
to sniff the air, then coming still nearer,

he made a bound, with head extended,

to ascertain if Bruin kept his position.
As the panther was closing with him,
the deer wheeled sharp around, and turn-
ing back almost upon his own trail,
passed within thirty yards of his pursuer,
who not being able at once to stay his
career, gave an angry growl and followed
the deer again, but at a distance of some
hundred yards, . Hearing the growl, the
bear drew his body half out of the
bushes, remaining quietly on the lookout.
Soon the deer again appeared, but his
speed was much reduced; and as he
approached toward the <pot where the
bear lay concealed, it was evident that
the animal was calculating his distance
with admiral precision. ‘The panther,
now expecting easily to seize his prey,
followed about thirty yards behind, his
eyes so intently fixed on the deer that
he did not see Bruin at all. Not so the
bear, She was aware of the close vi-
cinity of her wicked enemy, and spe
cleared the briers and squared herself
for action, when the deer, with a beauti-
ful and powerful spring, dashed clean
over the bear’s head, and disappeared.
At the moment he took the leap, the
panther was close upon him, and was

*