DUEL WITH A PANTHER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8823, 27 May 1907, Page 2

DUEL WITH A PANTHER.

Captain G. H. Sawyer, 33rd Sikh Pioneers, second in command Ohitral Scouts, was severely mauled by a panther whilst big game shooting in the Himalayas. On February 33rd his shikari brought news of a panther. Captain Sawyer immediately followed up the tracks, and, coming up with the animal, fired, and, as he thought, killed it. The panther rolled down the hillside, and Captain Sawyer and his shikari went down to look for it, and found it gone. They then traced its marks in deep snow and came to a holly tree, Oaptiain Sawyer leading, when suddenly the panther charged him', biting him very severely on the left elbow and bearing him to the ground. Whilst the captain was struggling with the panther, a man of the Chitral levies attacked the animal with a knife. The animal then turned on him, but he dodged it, aud again knifed it. The panther then, returned to Captain Sawyer, aud bit him in the right leg. Captain Sawyer tried to get at 'his revolver, which he was wearing, but it had slipped round, and lie could uot get at it. The party returned to Captain Sawyer’s camp, which was some distance away. It took the captain a long time to get back, but when he arrived ho wrote to tho doctor at Drosh. His letter took a long time iu delivery, as there was no road along the mountains. , Tho doctor was with him two days later, and it was clearly seen that tho only way to save his life was to amputate the left arm as high as possible For some days grave fears were entertained of septic poisoning, but a strong constitution averted this, and with good nursing the captain’s life was saved. He has since been reported convalescent, aud it is hoped that he will soon bo fit for duty again.