21. Konwell shook his head as he inquired, "Why I had shot?" Without answering, I began to reload my gun: this finished, I took up a blazing pine brand from the fire, and proceeded to climb the steep wall of rock, that raised itself like a barrier, about twenty steps distant from the spot upon which we rested. Here I found an old panther, the largest I had ever seen, lying dead-my well-directed bullet had finished him. I flung the body over the rock, and my old comrade dragged him to the fire. 22. The ball had struck him directly in the right eye, passing through the brain. He was a fearful-looking animal, with terrible teeth and claws, and the more to be dreaded, as, when we cut him up, his stomach was found entirely empty. I believed that hunger had driven him so close to the fire; but Konwell thought he had scented the fresh venison we had with us. Be that as it may, there was little doubt but that he would have made a leap, as soon as the intervening fire had burned down; to its friendly presence, therefore, on this occasion, as a means of Providence, we owed our lives. QUESTIONS.-1. What had Konwell driven into a den? 2. What preparation did he make, before entering into the cavern? 3. How far had the men proceeded before they saw the panther? 4. Describe the appearance of the panther, as they came near him after the first shot. 5. What did the panther do after the men both fired at him? 6. Did they finally succeed in killing the panther? 7. Describe the manner in which they killed another panther. LESSON XL. RAPIDS, part of a river where the {A HOY', sea term used in hailing a current is swift. QUÄFF, drink largely. TUR BU LENCE, violent agitation. HOIST, raise; lift up. [vessel. [guage. HELM, instrument for steering a ves- BLAS PHEM' ING, uttering impious lan [sel. SHRIEK' ING, screaming; crying out. THE POWER OF HABIT. JOHN. B. GOUGH. 1. I REMEMBER once riding from Buffalo to the Niagara Falls. I said to a gentleman, " What river is that, sir?" 66 That,” said he, "is Niagara river." 2. "Well, it is a beautiful stream," said I; "bright, and fair, and glassy. How far off are the rapids ?" 66 Only a mile or two," was the reply. 3. "Is it possible that only a mile from us, we shall find the water in the turbulence which it must show near the Falls'?" "You will find it so, sir." And so I found it; and the first sight of Niagara I shall never forget. 4. Now, launch your bark on that Niagara river; it is bright, smooth, beautiful, and glassy. There is a ripple at the bow; the silver wake you leave behind, adds to your enjoyment. Down the stream you glide, oars, sails, and helm in proper trim, and you set out on your pleasure excursion. 5. Suddenly, some one cries out from the bank, "Young men, ahoy!" "What is it?" "The rapids are below you!" 6. "Ha! ha! we have heard of the rapids; but we are not such fools as to get there. If we go too fast, then we shall up with the helm, and steer to the shore; we will set the mast in the socket, hoist the sail, and speed to the land. Then on, boys; don't be alarmed,—there is no danger." 7. "Young men, ahoy there!" "What is it?" "The rapids are below you!" 8. "Ha! ha! we will laugh and quaff; all things delight us. What care we for the future! No man ever saw it. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. We will enjoy life while we may,-will catch pleasure as it flies. This is enjoyment; time enough to steer out of danger when we are sailing swiftly with the current." 9. (f) "YOUNG MEN, AHOY!" "What is it?" "BEWARE! BEWARE! THE RAPIDS ARE BELOW YOU!" 10. "Now you see the water foaming all around. See how fast you pass that point! Up with the helm! Now turn! Pull hard! (=) Quick! quick! quick! pull for your lives! pull till the blood starts from your nostrils, and the veins stand like whip-cords upon your brow! Set the mast in the socket! hoist the sail! (sl) Ah! ah! it is too late! Shrieking, howling, blaspheming; over they go." 11. Thousands go over the rapids of intemperance every year, through the power of habit, crying all the while, "When I find out that it* is injuring me, I will give it up!" QUESTIONS.-1. Where are the Niagara Falls? 2. How does the water appear just above the Falls? 3. How does it appear farther up? 4. What reply are the young men represented as making, when first told the rapids were below them? 5. What, when told the second time? 6. What must they do, to escape destruction? 7. What is said of the power of habit? These verses should be read in a firm, half-indignant, yet imploring tone of voice,-except the last verse, which should be expressed in a very decided and impassioned manner. THE DRUNKARD'S DAUGHTER.* 1. Go, feel what I have felt, Go, bear what I have borne; 2. Go, weep as I have wept, O'er a loved father's fall, See every cherished promise swept,- 3. Go, kneel as I have knelt; 4. Go, stand where I have stood, And see the strong man bow; With gnashing teeth, lips bathed in blood, ; Go, catch his wandering glance, and see There mirrored, his soul's misery. * These beautiful and touching verses were written by a young lady, in reply to a friend who had called her a monomaniac on the subject of temperance 5. Go, hear what I have heard,— As memory's feeling fount hath stirred, Have told him what he might have been, Wipe from her cheek the tear; Mark her dimmed eye,-her furrowed brow, 7. Go, hear, and see, and feel, and know, All that my soul hath felt and known, Think if its flavor you will try, If all proclaimed, "'Tis drink and die!" |