Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-12-28
Sflisttllanp.
A Story of the Woods of Maine.


mount =
Young man, said he, when first visited
this town, there were only three families liv-
ing in it. You who now live at ease can never
know the hardships and perilous scenes
through which the early settlers passed
Come with me- he continued, and will
show you the spot on which the first hut ever
erected in this town was located
followed silently, until the old man reached
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 was itp / asked.
'I will tell you. When the first settler
moved here, his nearest neighbor lived twenty
miles distant, in the present town of Rumford,
and the only road between the two neighbors
was path he had cut through the woods him
self, so that in case of want or sickness he
Nigh get assistance. One spring, think it
was the third season after he had settled here,
he was obliged to go to Rumford for provis-
ions. He arose early one morning and started
for his nearest neighbor. People of the pres
ent day would think it hard to make Journey
OF twenty miles for bag Of potatoes, and on
foot too, but such was the errand of the first
settler. lie arrived before noon, and was
successful in getting his potatoes, got some
refreshments and started for home. But it
was not easy to travel with load of potatoes
and finally at sundown, he threw off his load,
and resolved to make shelter and spend the
night. / have been taken with him to the ex-
act locality of it; it was situated just on the
other side Of the stream. on which are mills,
in the village of Pinhook, Woodstock.
He built shelter, struck a fire. and took
out of his sack piece of meat to roast. All
young man, continued the narrator, you lit
tie know with what relish man eats his food
in the woods; but, as | was saying, he COM
menced roasting his mcp-4ayhen he was star
tied by cry so shril that he knew at once it
could come from nothing else but a catamount
| will now relate it to you as near as l can in
the language of the old settler himself.
g listened moment and it was repeated
even louder, and it seemed nearer than before
My first thought was for my own safety. But
what was | to do; | was at least ten miles
from home, and there was not a single human
being nearer than that to me next thought
| of self-defence, but | had nothing to defend
myself with. In a moment / concluded to
start for home, for | knew the nature of the
catamount too well to think l should stand the
least chance of escape if [ remained in the
camp. | knew, too, that he would ransack
my camp, and hoped the meat which had
left behind might satisfy his appetite so that
he might not follow me after eating it.
had not proceeded more than half mile,
before | knew, by the shrieks of the animal,
that he was within sight of the camp. |
doubled my speed, content that the beast should
have my supper; although I declare l would
not have run If had had my trusty rifle with
me. But there could be no cowardice in run
ming from an infurated catamount, doubly fu-
rious, probably, being hungry, and with moth
ing that could be called weapon save pock-
ct knife.
had proceeded, probably, about two-thirds
the distance home, and hearing nothing more
Of the fearly enemy, began to slacken my pace,
and thought had nothing to fear. I had left
behind about two pounds Of meat, beef and
pork, which hoped had satisfied the monster.
Just as had come to the conclusion that
would run no more, and was looking back, as
tonished almost at the distance had travelled
In SO short space of time, | was electrified
with horror to hear the animal shrek again.
| knew then that my fears were realized.
The beast had undoubtedly entered the camp,
and ate and then followed after me. 1t was
about three miles to my log cabin, and it had
already become dark. [ redoubled my speed,
but thought | must die-and such death
The recollection Of that feeling comes to my
mind as vividly as though | knew the animal
was pursuing me. But | am no coward,
though to be torn in pieces and almost eaten
alive by wild beast, was horrible.
| | calmly unbuttoned my trock with the
determination to throw it off before the beast
should approach me, hoping thereby to gain
advantage OF him by the time he would loose
in tearing it to pieces.
Another shrek, and l tossed the garment
behind me in the path. Not more than five
minutes elapsed before heard shrill cry as
he came to it. How that shrek electrified
me. bounded like deer. But in a moment
the animal made another cry, which told me
plainly that my garment had only exasperated
him to a fercer chase.
Oh, God said |, and must I die thus
cannot, must live for my wife and children
and | run even faster than before, and unbut-
toning my waistcoat, | dropped it in the path
as proceeded. The thought of nv wife and
children urged me to the most desperate speed,
for thought more of their unprotected state
than the death | was threatened with for
should die, what would become Of them.
In moment the whole events of nv life
crowded through my brain. The catamount
shrleked louder, and fast as was running, he
rapidly approached me, Nearer and nearer