Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1875-09-07

i WALKING THROUGH THE W00Ds.-As
test of nerve, the recent experience OF
wayfarer, travelling wood road near Olym
pia, Washington Territory, was as remark
able as any on record. The man was
speculator, looking out wild land, and he
trudged through the forest, following the
almost unused path formed by an old road
made by pioneers in the wilderness. His
mind was devoted to one subject-the crit
ical examination of the kind of trees upon
the land about him, and Of the character
of the soil, and he failed to notice for some
time "pita-pat' upon the dead leaves
near him. He at first scarcely looked down
when he felt something rubbing against
his legs and heard slight purring sound,
but when he did look his heart came up in
his mouth and cold sweat started rs sud
denly as though he were suspended by a
weak rope over Niagara. Pressing itself
softly against his legs. twining about him
as he walked, moving its flexible body
swiftly, but with never sound, turning up
fierce eyes with something almost like u
terrible laugh in them, was huge cougar
No chicken was this man in the woods,
but his account of the manner in which
his hat was raised by his hair is not to be
considered rs apocryphal 1T all. Sleek
and supple and muscular the beast glided
about, and at intervals it would come clos
er again and press its body against the
legs of the man, the light touch making
gooseilesh Of every inch in his form. II
was terrible experience, that interview
with the cougar in the forest primeyal,
and ii was well for the man that his nerves
were of the kind to do honor to frontier
adventurer. Steadily pursuing his course
with steps that would falter occasionally,
he kept on. and with him the beast con.
tinued It's trcachcrous gambols Al times
it would glide IA few spaces TO the front.
and roll over and over in the road, and
wait for the man Ia come up. and then il |
would circle around him again until the
impulse, almost too strong 10 bc resisted,
would come upon him 10 spring upon the
brute, opposing fists 10 iang>. and ending
he in,olcrable suspense M any risk. The
of the terrible animal were
III, n The playing of ca, with mouse.
md the man knew IT, The moment came.
i length. when the strain could be- borne
IN longer. and the man kicked desperately
1 the beast rs il bounded in front Of him.
II all instant it bounded ia front and
for spring. growing hoarscly
nd showing it, teeth. The man stopped
nj shouted hopclessly for aid. while the
ougar did not spring n, once. but appear.
d waiting To crafty its hunger little
niger. The shout. fortunately. WAS no, in {
ain. I
There were hunter, and dogs in The i'm. /
'cdiatc vicinity. III rare fortune. would
ave it. and the hounds dashed suddenly
oin the covert Is the cougar sealing them. =
apcd for tree \ few moments later the u
East fell a victim 10 the bullets. and The
an with whom it had taken stroll was
ling his story and trying 10 restore the u
primal condition of his nerves nv Internal j
,plicaiions from small flask. |, Was Ii
,e Of the episodes which turn mems hair g.
,ay-onc which would, doubtless. have
ought death Ia man with less nerve :,
an the hero ofthc affair Douaginc Nj :
onitOr. G.