Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-30
A Race for Life.


IN the winter of 1865 a couple of
Canadian voyageurs, by the names of
Nicholas and Jules Semineau, were
caught in a terrible snOw-storm while
taking up their traps on the head Of the
the Big Horn River, in the Rocky Noun
tains. The storm lasted for several days,
nor was there any hope of escape until
the snow should become compact enough
to bear their weight upon snOw-shOes.
The voyageurs were yet striplings,
scarcely arrived of age. Hitherto their
father had accompanied them upon their
expeditions, but he was now at home at
his ranch on the great overland route.
The tepoe, or lodge, of the brothers
consisted of couple of buffalo robes
stretched in front of an overhanging rock
that overlooked the river.
Here were slowed their furs, neatly tied
up in small bales, made up principally of
the skins of minks, offers and beavers,
with few peIts of the silver fox. Over
these were laid robes which served them
for bed. 4 little fire was replenished
from time to time by the dry branches of
pine and cedar, of which they fortunately
had an ample supply. Thus they were
enabled to pass the days pleasantly, not
withstanding the raging Of the elements
without.
Up the canon through which the river
flowed the wind sucked and roared terri
bly,. The icy face of the stream was soon
cleared of snow, which drifted into the
lateral canons, gorging them completely.
In order TO pass away the time, the
young men busted themselves in making
skates from the horns of an elk. The
Of lot 10
boys, on the broad bosom of the st. Law
renee.
Their meat running short, Nicholas
concluded to have a run on his skates
up the river, with the hope of killing an
elk, which were numerous on the pine
covered slopes of the mountains.
Rife in hand, he started in high spir
its, gliding by rocky cape and frowning
promontOry, made by the sharp bends
and curves of the river. Where the &C
clivities were gentler, forests of the vel
low pine, cedar and juniper lifted their
dark green heads. now burdened with
weight of snow The quick gaze OF
Nicholas searched in every shelter for
the mighty antlers of the elk, or the blue
coat of the black-tailed deer, the best OF
all venison.
It was not long ere he spied herd of
the latter, of which he had the good luck
to kill two. The saddles of these he
secured together, strapped them around
his shoulders and started on his return
home, distant about four miles.
He skated leisurely along, humming a
light French ar, when suddenly his ears
were struck by an unearthly cry, which
he at once recognized as the roar of the
mountain lion, and he could distinguish,
also, that the cries proceeded from more
than one.
He quiokened his pace. His skates
rang hard against the solid ice. The
cries became clearer, and he instinctiyely
felt that he was pursued.
Fear lent him wings. He dropped a
saddle, hoping thereby to satisfy the
hunger of the lions. He found presently,
however, that they made no halt. It was
the young man they ragged after, and
naught but his blood would appease
them.
He now cast aside his remaining saddle
and his rife, and leaned forward upon his
skates with all the power he possessed
Yet the beasts gained rapidly upon him.
He could hear their mighty bounds. At
times he fancied he could feel their hot
breath. He gazed over his shoulders, and
the glance revealed the lions, their
mouths wide open, and their blood-red
tongues hanging over their jaws, while
their cries were as frequent as the baying
Of a bloodhound.
He was now compelled to double on
his course, the weight and impetus of the
lions carrying them beyond him. Hap
PLY, Nicholas preserved his presence
of mind, and by his skill as a
skater, combined with wonderful &C
tivity, he eluded the efforts made by the
lions to seize him, and drew slowly toward
home. Presently lie saw the smoke curl
ing from under the rocky shelf, and as he
shot past his ears were greeted by the
welcome crack of rifle, and one of the
lions tumbled over dead almost at his feet
The voyager again turned toward the
rock. Jules had reloaded. His unerring
aim stretched the remaining lion upon the
ice, and Nicholas was saved. It.was some
months, however, ere he fully recovered
from the superhuman efforts made by him
in his race for life.
The next summer he served as guide,
and it was while fishing in the same river
that he related to the writer his thrilling
adventure. -EdaoGrd B. HectOn, IN What
Nert?"