Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-01-03

animal that he was within slgnt OF u"
camn doubled my speed, content tina
the bean should have my supper altnong'
I declare that would not have run II MAJ
h,d NV trusty rifle with me. But ther
conId be no cowardce in ,mY,.alRp Nitrous
an ;,S.,.; ay. being hungry, and l will
p nothing that could be called weapon, ex
cept pocket knife.
"' had proceeded, probably, about TIVE
thirds of the distance home, and hearing
nothing more Of my fearful enemy, began
to slackcn my pace, and thought ! had
nothing to fear. had left behind about
two pounds of meat, beef and pork, which
hope had satisfied the ferocious monster.
Just as had come to the conclusion that
would run 10 more, and was looking back
asonlshed almost, at the distance | had
travelled in so short a space of time, ]
was electrified with horror TO hear the ami
nal shrek again
- then knew my worst fears we're re-
leased. The beast had undoubtedly enter
ed tie camp, and ate what he could find 4.
aud then had scented my track and follow
ed after me. 1t was about three miles Ia
my log cabin, and it ha already become
dark. redonbed my speed but fell
that must die. And such death The
recollection OF th,t feeling comes TO my mind
as windy as though knew the animal was
now pursuing me. But am no coward,
though 10 be torn in pieces, and almos,
eaten alive by wild beast, was horrible !
"' calmly unbuttoned my frock, with
the determination to-throw it off before the
beast should approach ME, hoping thereby
to gain advantage of him BY the lime he
would lose in tearing it to pieces.
:" Another shrek, and | TOSSED the gar.
ment behind me in the path. Not more
than five minutes elapsed before ! heard
shrlII cry as he came to it. How that
hriek electrified me | bounded like a
deer. But in moment the animal made
another cry, which told me plainly that The
garment had only exasperated him to a ferc-
err chase.
"'Oh, God = said I, and must die
thus? can, must live for my wife and
children and | ran even faster than had
done before, and unhuttoning my waist
coat, dropped it in the path as | proceed.
ed. The thoughts of my wife and children
urged me to desperate speed, for thought
more of their unprotected state than the
death was threatened with, for, should |
die, what would become of them?
So In a moment, the whole events of my
life crowded to my brain. The hot blood
conrsed through my veins with trrrent'>
force! The catamoum shrieked louder
and louder, and fast as was running, he
was rapidly approaching me. Nearer and
nearer he came, until ancied could
hear his bounds. At last came to the
brook which yon see yonder and it was
double the size which it is now. for it was
swollen by recent freshcts, and lnnged to
cool my fevered brain in it but knew it
would be as certain death to me as to die
by the claws of the beast With thee {
bounds gained the opposite bank, and
hen could clearly see light ia my log
cabin which was not more than one hun
tired rods distant.
"' | had not proceeded but short dis. t
ance, before heard the plunge of the cat t
mount behind me. | leaped with more I
han human mercy, for it was now life or {
leath. In moment The catamount gave {
'nniher wild shrek, as though he was a |
raid he should LOSE his prey AT the same
instant yelled at the top of my lungs to
ny vile. In moment | saw her approach t
he door with light. a
"' With what vivdness that moment .
comes back to my mind The catamount
vas not so far from me as was from nv
rouse. | dropped my hat, the only thing
;onId lenve to stay the progress of the
'east. The next moment fell PROSTATE
II my own cabin
" Here the old settler paused, and wiped
he big drops from his brow ere he contin
led
=" How long | lay when | fell, | know
ot but when was restored t. conscious
ess, was lying on my rude couch, and
ny wife was halhing my head with cold
'aler, aud my children were gazing anx-
ou>y at me, My vile told me that as soon
S fell she Immediately shut the door and u
AIRED it, for she knew that was pursued: Al
ut by whom or what she knew not and VI
hat as soon as had fallen and the door t,
losed, fearful spIing was made upon it t,
ut the donr was strong and well barred, v,
nd withstood the spring of The beast. tr
"f As soon as fully recovered, | kneIl "
nd offered the most fervent prayer to the tt
llmighty that ever passed my lips, or ever v,
I'LL again. My family and myself shortly e,
ehred; but no sleep visited me that night II
nt1e m'r liny, when my little son six year re
Id, told me that he saw the eyes of the colt It
'oklng in al the window IN the night, | et
new the ca amount had been watching to CT
ain admlttance but our windows, you ri
i'll perceive, are not large enough 10 per- ri
It Il tamnunt to enter. N
" When | looked in the glass the next d
"rning, | was hnrror-struck at nv altered l.,
)pearance. My hair, which was the day m
elore as black as midnight, was chan red 6,
} the snowy whtenes. you now see il and W
Though have enjoyed very good health til
nee, shall never recover from the effects lie
the fright experienced on being CHA bl
ed BY A CATAMoUNT. AZ
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