HUNTER HURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13485, 11 May 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

HUNTER HURT.

DUEL WITH A PANTHER...' Captain G. H. Sawyer, 23rd Sikh'-Pion-eers, second in -command Chitrai Scouts, was severely mauled; by a panther_ whilst [big game shooting in the Himalayas. .'_. [ : On February 23 his shikari brought news lof a panther. Captain Sawyer immediateIly 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, Captain 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 Chitrai levies attacked the animal with a knife. -The animal then turned on him, but he dodged it, and again knifed it. . The panther then returned to Captain Sawyer, and bit him in the right leg. Captain Sawyer tried to get at his revolver, which he was wearing, but it had slipped round, and he could, notget at it. ■ f / 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 he wrote to the doctor; at Drosh. His letter took a long time in delivery, as there was no road along the mountains. The doctor was with him two days later, and it was clearly seen that the 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, and it is hoped that he will soon he fit for duty again. ~