Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-03-07

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.derence
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 should stand the least chance oi
escape if | remained in the camp. knew,
too, that he would ransack my camp, and
hoped the meat which | left behind might
satisfy his appetite, so that he might not fol-
low me after eating it.
al had not proceeded more than half a
mile before knew by the shreks of the
animal that he was within sight of the camp.
doubled my speed, content that the beast
should have my supper: although declared
I would not have run if had my trusty
rifle with me. But there could be no cow
ardice in my running from an inIuriated
catamount, doubly furious, probably, by be-
ing hungry, and with nothing that could be
called a weapon, save pocket knife.
"[ had proceeded, probably, about two.
thirds of the distance home, and hearing
nothing more of the feaful 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 l 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 horror to
hear the animal shrek again
"I knew then that my fears were realized.
The beast had undoubtedly entered the camp
and ate. and followed after me. 1t was
about three miles TO my log cabin, and it
bad already became dark. redoubled my
speed, but thought must die. And SUCH a
death! The recollection of that feeling
comes to my mind as vividly as though |
knew the animal was now pursuing me. But
am no coward, though to be torn TO pieces
and almost eaten alive by wild beast was
horrible.
{" calmly unbuttoned my coat, with the
determination to throw it off before the beast
should approach me, hoping thereby to gain
advantages of him by the time he would lose
in tearing it to pieces.
Another shrek, and tossed the garment
behind me in the path. Not more than five
minutes elapsed before heard shrill cry
as he come to it. How that shrek electr-
fed me bounded like a deer. But in
moment the animal made another cry, which
told me plainly that my garment had only
exasperated him to fiercer chase.
go God!" said |, and must die thus :
| cannot; must live for my wife and chill.
dren 2" and ran even faster than | had done
before, and unbuttoning my waistcoat, |
dropped it in the path as | proceeded. The
thought of my wife and children urged me
to the most desperate speed, for l thought
more Of their unprotected state than the
death | was threatened with, for should |
die, what would become Of them2
"ln moment the whole events of my
life crowded through my brain. The cata-
mount shrieked louder, and fast as was
running, he camo, until fancied could
hear his bounds. At last | came to the
brook which you see yonder, which was
double its present size, being swollen by re.
cent freshets, and | longed to cool my fever.
cd brain in it; but | knew that would be
certain death as to die by the claws of the
beast. With three bounds gained the op.
posite bank, and then could clearly see
light in my log cabin, which was not more
than hundred yards distant
al had proceeded but short distance
when heard the plunge of the catamount
behind me. | leaped with more than human
energy, for it was life or death. In mo.
ment the catamount gave another wild shrek,
as though he was afraid he should lose his
prey. At that instant | yelled at the top Of
my lungs TO my wife and in moment saw
her approach the door with light.
'' With what vividness that moment comes
10 my mind! The catamout was not so far
from me as was from the house. drop
ped my hat, the only thing could leave to
stay the progress of the beast. The next
moment fell postrate in my own cabin"
Here the old settler paused, and wiped
the drops from his brow, ere he continued.
How long laid after | fell, | know
not; but when | was reused to conscious.
ness, was lying on my rude couch and my
wife was bathing my head with cold water,
ard my children were gazing anxiously at
me. My wife told me that as fell she i'm.
mediately shut the door and barred it, for
she knew that was pursued, but by whom
or what she knew not; and that as soon as
had fallen and the door was strongly and
well barred, and withstood the spring Of the
beast.
GAS soon as recovered, | knelt down
and offered the most fevent prayer to the
Almighty that ever crossed my lips, or ever
will again. My family and myself shortly
retired, but no sleep visited me that night.
In the morning, when my little son, six
years old, told me that he saw the eyes of
the colt in the window in the night, knew
the catamount had been watching to gain
admittance but our windows, you will per-
ceive, are not large enough to permit cata-
mount to enter.
When I looked into the glass the next
morning, | was horror-struck at my altered
appearance My hair, which was the day
before dark as midnight, was changed to
the snowy whiteness you now see; and, al
though have enjoyed very good health
since, | shall never recover from the effects
of the fright | experienced on being chased
by catamount."
LARGE quantities of wheat and pork have
recently been bought in Chicago and Mil