Hinkins did not pursue the chase, devoting his time to quieting the horses, but the next morning he decided; to follow the trail of the catamount and to have at least another shot at it. Early in the morning he mounted his horse and set out in pursuit of the panther, having little difficulty in following its trail, drops of blood indicating that some of the shots he had fired at it the night before had taken effect. Just at the edge of the wood he discovered the beast, in a crouching attitude. There was scarcely light enough to secure perfect aim with his revolver, and Hinkins decided to attempt to “rope” the panther. He swung his lariat and, being an expert with the rope, succeeded in landing the noose about the beast’s neck. Instantly he turned his horse, gave it a sharp dig with his spurs, and the pinto set off at a gallop down the trail dragging the panther at the end of the rope, despite its efforts to regain its feet. After dragging the beast half a mile or more Hinkins concluded that it had been choked to death. He stopped his horse, alighted and went back to cut the beast’s throat. The Panther, however, as soon as it felt the rope slacken, leaped to its feet, wild with rage, and made a bound in the direction of Wilkins. He fired shot after shot at it with his revolver, but was unable to stay its onslaught, and the beast sprang upon him, ripping his shirt to tatters and gashing his chest and face in a horrible manner.     Hinkins attempted to defend himself with his knife, but probably would have been killed had not the horse given a sudden tug on the rope, which had been attached to the saddle and pulled the catamount off of Hinkins. He quickly

recharged his revolver and, while the horse kept the line taut, so that the beast could not again spring, Hinkins Succeeded in planting three bullets squarely in its forehead, bringing it to earth then fired half a dozen more shots at it before he was satisfied that it was dead. Hinkins was considerably weakened by loss of blood, but succeeded in roughly dressing his wounds and was able to reach the ranch house.     A party was organized to bring in the dead panther and the remuda of horses. The panther was of unusual size, its head being almost as large as a water pail. The animals have been rare in this part of the state for several years, and the present specimen is supposed to come down from the mountains across the line in search of food.     From— The Virginia Enterprise. (Virginia. St. Louis County, Minn.], 18 May 1906. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.