Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-05-12

Chased by a CatamOuRt.
On the first Tuesday of September, 1882,
there were freemens meetings to be held
in all the towns in Vermont; and that to
be held in Roxbury-in the south part OF
Washington county-at the Centre, so
called, at the dwelling house Of the late
Samuel NJ. Orcutt, as town halls were not
very plenty at that date.
The writer of this, in company with the
late Henry S. Boyce of East Roxbury, af-
lei discussing the most feasible way of get
ling to said meeting, finally concluded to
take the shortest route across the valleys
and hills ON foot-both calling ourselves
first rate for II walk. From our starting
point the distance was three miles or SO
,,s we went, and by the highway much
Farther; and much of the way was
Through dense woods and across the valley
of Dog river.
Soon after the close of the polls, about
the middle of the afternoon or little
later, we started for home in advance Ol
most of the others, who generally went on
Horseback.
A short distance from the place of hold.
Ing the meeting was the Gibson Ellis
place, so called, and from that point to the
Farm of Deacon Gold, on the east side OF
s the valley, was an unbroken forest OF
heavy growth. The road WAS narrow and
crooked, and in some places very steep, as
an will recollect who travelled it in those
early days.
Soon after entering The woods we heard
d veil or scream that seemed to be some
distance back of us, and we inquired OF
each other what it could be, as it was not
very distinct; but in short time it was
repeated, somewhat louder than before,
animal of the woods. The day was very
cloudy, and it was getting to be quite dark
as we descended toward the river.
The yclls kept being repeated, and ap.
Il pcared TO be gaining on us rapidly, al.
Though our speed was very much quick
ened. We fully made up our minds that
a catamount had crossed our track and was
Following us, and n fight or something
worse WAS very close upon us without any
a fail, us it was but II mile or two from the
H place, and in the same tract of forest
y where large one was killed II few years
before
We had noticed rs we passed in the
forenoon AT the east end of the bridge ovel
the river II lot of hand spikes or levers by
the roadside, that had been used in build
ing the bridge short time previously.
As the animal was fast gaining upon US,
and the screams were becoming more
q frequent, we could see no other way than
to make stand with the levers on the
~ bridge, and fight it out as best we could
and we made some very good time fol
Some distance before reaching the point
where the battle was to be fought.
We took our stand with the levers
ncrved for desperate struggle, with some
doubts as to the result. After waiting =
: few minutes we heard the talking of men
on horseback, coming down the hill, anC
the legs of the horses were first seen under
the branches of the trees, when the nature
oi the animal flashed on the mind of Mr.
Boyce, and he exclaimed: La! it's thai
mule We dropped our weapons very
quickly, and resumed our walk up the
hill feeling that we had escaped an awfu
! battle.
1t appeared that mule following it
mother had strayed among strange horses
and feeling lost had kept up the hidcou
81 yclls that frightened us for the first tim
in our lvcs-as | had never heard on,
before.
a prominent man soon overlook us ant
inqurcd if we heard the mule; addin.
that if he had heard it in the woods with
out knowing what it was, he should hav,
taken it for n catamount, sure; but W.
didn't tell him what extra time we mad
8 for some distance before reaching tn
d bridge, and it was many n long day be
q fore any one but ourselves knew of th
q terrible chase we had.
1t is very nearly half a century sine
that occurrence took place, but it is Jus
as fresh in my memory as it was the da
it happened. have been, in the cours,
81 of my life. in some close places hav
ID assisted in the capture of several of tn
Il Bruin tribe, and have heard the hoars
growls of the ravenous cougar or Ameri
can lion, among the bluffs of souther
Missouri, but never came so near losin.
my hat by rising hair as at the expecte
battle with the bloody catamount.
STILLMAN RUGGLEs.
Boston, May, 1880.