HUNTER HURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2090, 27 May 1907, Page 4

HUNTER HURT.

DUEL WITH A PANTHER

Captain G. .11. Sawyer, 23rd Sikh Pidnoors, socond in command Chitral Scouts, was sovoroly mauled by a panther whilst big game shooting in tlio Himalayas. On February 23 his shikari brought l news of a panther. Captain Sawyer immediately followed up tlio tracks, and, coming up with tlio ' animal, fired, and, as ho thought, killed it. Tho panther rolled down the hillside, and Captain Sawyor and his shikari went down to look for it, and found it gono. They then traced its mailt in deep snow and came to a holly tree, Captain Sawyer leading, when suddonly tlio panther charged him, biting him very severely on the loft elbow and bearing him to tlio ground. Whilst tho captain was struggling with tlio panther a man of tho Chitral levies attacked tlio animal with a knifo. The animal then turned on him, but lie dodgedi if|, and again knifod it. The panther then roturned to Captain Sawyer, and bit him in tlio right leg. Captain Sawyor triod to get at liis revolver, which lfq was wearing, but it had slippod round, and hb could not get at it.. Tho party returned to Captain Sawyer’s camp, which was somo distance away. It took tho captain a long time to got back, but when he arrived ho wrote to the doctor at Drosh. His letter took a long time in delivery, as' there was no road along the mountains. Tho doctor was with him two days later, and it was eloarly seen that the only way to savo his life was to amputate the left arm as high as possible. For some days grav.o fears were entertained of septic poisoning, but a strong constitution averted this, and with good nursing the captain’s life was saved. He has sinco been reported convalescent, and it is hoped that ho will soon bo fit for duty again.