Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-10-31
CHASED BY A CATAM0UNT.
A SCENE IN THE LIFE OF A PIoNEE

catamount. Although cannot relate it
with that lively effect with which it was
told me, still have embodied the facts
in this sketch.
| had been on hunting excursion, and
as was returning, fell in with that oft
described parsonage, " the oldest inhabi-
tant." He kindly accosted me, and I
entered gladly into conversation with
him.
' Young man; said he, = when | first
visited this town, there were only three
families in it. You who live in ease, can
never know the hardships and perilou =
scenes through which the earlier settlers
passed. Come with me- he continue
ed, land will show you the exact spot
where the first hut ever erected in this
town was located. followed silently,
until the old man reached the bottom of
the west side of Paris Hill.
"There, said he, & on this spot was
erected the hut. | shall never forget the
first time visited it, and the story was
told"
"What is it E'I I asked.
q will tell you. When the first set
tier moved here, his nearest neighhor
lived twenty miles distant, in the present
town of Rumford, and the only road be-
tween the two neighbors was path that
he had cut himself so that in case Of want
or sickness, he might get assistance
One spring, think it was the third sea
son after he had settled here, he was
obliged to go to Rumtord after provisions.
He arose early one morning, and started
for his nearest ncighbor People Of the
present day would think it hard to make
a journey Of twenty miles for bag Of
potatoes, and on foot too: but such was
the errand Of the first settler. He arrived
before noon, was successful i'll getting his
potatoes. got some refreshments, and
started for home. But it was not very
easy to travel with a load Of potatoes: and
finally, at sIlndown he threw off his load,
and resolved to make a shelter and spend
the night. 1 have been with him to the
exact locality of it; it was situated Just
on the other side Of the stream on which
are mills in the village, now known as
PinhOok, in Woodstock. He built
shelter. struck a fire, and took out of his
pack a piece of meat to roast. All !.
young man. continued the narrator,
g you little know with what relish man
eats his food in the woods: but, as | was
saying, he commenced roasting his meat,
when he was startled by cry so shrill
that he knew at once that it could come
from nothing but a catamount. | will
now relate it to you as near as can, in
the language Of the old settler himself:
:" | listened a moment" said he, 's and
it was repeated even louder, and it SEEM
ed nearer than before. Ny first thought
was for my own safety. But what was
to do! 1t was at least ten miles from
my home, and there was not single
human being nearer than that to me. In
a moment concluded to start for home,
for | knew the nature of the catamount
too well to think | should stand the least
chance of escape if | remained in the
camp. knew, too, that he would ran
sack the camp, and hoped that the meat
which left behind might satisfy his ap-
petite, so that he would not follow me
after eating it. had not proceeded more
than half a mile before | knew by the
shrieks of the animal that he was within
sight of the camp. doubled my speed,
content that the animal should have my
supper, although declared | would not
have run if had my trusty rifle with me-
But there would be no cowardice in my
running from an infuriated catamount,
doubly furious, probably, from being
hungry, and with nothing that could be
called a weapon save pocket knife.
Il had proceeded probably about two
thirds OF the distance home, and hearing
nothing more of the fearful enemy, begun
to slacken my pace, and thought | had
nothing to fear. | had left behind about
two pounds of raw meat, beef and pork
which I hoped had satisfied the ferocious
monster Just as | had come to the con-
clusion that would run no more, and
was looking back, astonished, almost, at
the distance | had travelled in so short a
space Of time, | was electrified with hor-
rOr to hear the animal shrek again
81 then knew my fears We're realised
The beast had undoubtedly entered the
SaAip Aho CdlSil Nldl lie COulu llllu, allu
then had scented my track and had fol.
lowed after me. 1t was about three miles
to my log cabin, and it had already be.
come dark. | redoubled my speed but
felt that must die. And such death
The recollection of that feeling comes tt
my mind as wildly as though knew the
animal was now pursuing me. But an
no coward, though to be torn in pieces
and almost eaten alive by wild beast
was horrible.
-" calmly unbuttoned my frock, will
the determination to throw it off befor,
the animal should approach me, hopins
thereby to gain advantage Of the time b.
would loose in tearing it to pieces.
Another Shrek, and tossed the gar
ment behind me in the path. Not NOR
than five minutes elapsed before l hear,
shrill cry as he came to it. How tina
Shrek electrified me! / bounded like
deer. But in moment the animal mad
another cry, which told me plainly tina
the garment had only exasperated him
q fiercer chase.
! so, God !" said I, "and must I di
Ethass i can't, ] must liye for mylwit