Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-04-19
Chased by a Catamount.
A HAIR BREADTH ESCAPE.

4
l cannot relate it with that lively effect with
which it was told me, still have embodied the
facts in this sketch. A' ." .'' @
had been on hunting excursion, and as was
returning, fell in with that often described per-
sonage, '.the Oldest inhabitant." He kindly ac-
costed me, and l entered gladly into conversation
with him
"Young man." said he, "when first visited
this town, there was only three families
living in it, You who now live in ease, can riey-
er know the hardships and perilous scenes through
which the early settlers passed. "Comeo with
me" he continued, "and will show you the ex-
act spot on which the first hut ever erected in
this town was located" 49,, - - .
followed silently, until the old man reached
the bottom of the west side of Paris Hill. 49,
"There," said he, "on this spot was erected the
hut. I shall never forget the first time visited
it, and the story was told.
r a. "What was it!" asked. .,.yz .s .fci,Iygl-
81 will tell you. When the first settler moved
here, his nearest neghbor lived twenty miles dis
tant, in the present town of Rumford and the on
ly road between tine two neighbors was path
that he had cut through the woods HIMSELF so that
in case Of want or sickness he might get asSs-
tance. One spring, think it wasthe third sea-
son after he had settled here, he was obliged to
60 to Rumford for, provisions He arose early
one morning and started for his nearest neighbor
People of the present day would think it hard to
make journey oftwenty miles for a bag of pota-
toes, and on foet, too but such was the errand of
the first settler. He 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 sun down. he threw off his load, and re-
solved to make shelter and spend the night.
have been with him to the exact locality of it; it
was situated just 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 bis pack piece Of
meat to roast. All! young man," continued the
narrator, "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
it could come from nothing else but a catamount.
will now relate it to you near as | can in the
languageof the old Settler himself. aH Wtly
'o"I listened for moment" said he, "and it was
repeated even louder than before. My first
thought was for my own safety But what was
to do! IT. at least ten miles from home, and
there was not single human being nearer than
that to me. first thought Of selEdefense; but
had nothing to defend myself with. In mo.
ment concluded to start for home, for knew
The nature of the catamount too we'll to think l
should stand the least chance of escape if l re-
mained in the camp. / knew, too, that he would
ransack my camp and / hoped that the meat
which had left might satisfy his appetite, so that
he might not follow me after eating it.. ..a. ~
81 had not proceeded more than half mile,
before heard the shreks of the animal, that he
was within sight of the camp. doubled my
speed, content that the beast should have my sup
per although declared would not have run
if had my trusty rife with me. But there
could be no cowardice in my running from an in
Furiated catamount, doubly furious, probably, by
being hungry, and with nothing that could be
called weapon, save pocket-kni(e.
81 had proceeded, probably, about two-thirds of
he distance home, and hearing nothing more of
he fearful enemy, began to slacken my pace and
thought had nothing to fear. 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, astonished! almost the dis
lance had travelled in so short space of time,
was electrified with horror to hear the animal
shrek again! .... ,......... .....
81 knew then that my fears were realized
The beast had undoubtedly entered the camp,
and ate what he could find, and then had scented
ny, track and followed after me. 1t was about
hree miles to my log cabin, and it had already be-
come dark, redoubled my speed, but I must
lie and such death! The reccollection of that
feeling comes to my mind as wildly as though |
knew the animal was pursuing me-, But am no
coward, though to be eaten alive by a wild beast,
was horrible! ,...g .,.,... ...f. .-,.
81 calmly unbuttoned my frock, with the deter
nination to throw it off before the beast should
approach me, hoping thereby to gain advantages
If him BY the time he would lose in tearing it to
pieces.
''Another shrek and ! tossed the garment be-
lind me in the path, Not more than five minutes
elapsed before heard shrill cry as he came up
% it. How that shrek electrified me! bound
ID 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. ,.5, ..st ,s.. .., ...,..,,.a... ...,.a .
."Oh, God!"'. said I, "and must | die thus!
cannot, I must live for my wife and children"
and ran even faster than had done before, and
my waisttsoat, 1 dropped il IN the
path, as proceeded, The thoughts Of my wife
a-tE