The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-04-29

OUT the pfoDaDie lay OF the land. 10 the
south the canon narrowed, the country
evidently grew more rugged, and the
timber thickened. To the north The
canon widened, and the walls eeemed K
| be less precipitous. Following the wind
ings of the stream as closely as possible
with my eyes, came to the conclusion
that some four or five miles further
north it would be possible to descend tc
the stream; then, by riding up the val
ley, could get to tie camp of the afflict-
ted miner. While settling this, frequent.
ly saw the naked man running quickly
from tree TO tree, or cropching under the
thorn bushes likesan animal in fear
Once he sneaked to the river, where he
picked up stone. With O cry of com.
bat, ne rushed at the tree he had at
tackled with shotgun. AS he passed
he hurled the rock with great force
against its trunk. Running toward the
4 western we'll of the cabin, ho disappear
ed among the thorn bushes. IL.
Saddling my horse, rcde1 back into
the mountains and slowly picked my way
TO the north along mountain fanks,
over burnt lands where extensive timber
fires had ragged, causing the uncousumed
portions ofthe trees to fall in tangle
1
get to this man, to aid him in his imagi-
nary flight, had taken possession of me.
was no longer hungry or nervous.
| Pushing on as rapidly as t could for two
hours, turned and rode westward to-
ware the canon. had ridden past it's
mouth. Tho precipitous walls broke
of abruptly, and with q grand swell
curved back into mountain slopes that
extended down to the river. Dismount-
| ing led my horse down the steep, noun
| tain eide, and was enon OF the stream in
! the valley. Eording the river and find
ing good trail on the other eide, rode
rapidly up it on o .canter. Arriving
at the camp of the miner; I'feined in my
horse and sat on the animal, a1xiously
| looking around. saw the naked man
crouched under some bushes, and rode
over TO him.
He at once regarded me as q friend
| and ndreinforcement aud told me his trou-
bles. Instantly I saw that he was suffering
with delirinm, tremens.. He, was. crazy,
and, though ID his camp, lest. He did
not know where Mis- clothes were; did
not realize that hu was naked. With
| vivid distinctness no described to ME @
giant clad in armor, with bright tin
helmet on his head, who was armed with
| an immense club, and who had been
trying to kill him. He volunteered to
! show this giant to me. Walking along
| side of my horse, his trembling hand
resting on my thigh, he seemed to be
unconscious of pain, apparently not feel
ing the bleeding, swollen feet, or the lac
Grated skin, deeply scratched by the thor q
| as he rushed through the bushes iD bis
mad flights from the specters creatst' oy
his disordered brain. With sud.
den pressure of his hand OF my leg,
he said, "Stopp With an animal
CLEAN of fear and hatred in his eyes, he
pointed with outstretched, trembling arm
to the pine he had shot Tat in the morning,
and in dry, husky whisper said: ''There
he is Sec the great club he has in his
hand. He going to strike mel Shoot |
shoot shootl" and he grabbed at my
rifle. Not securing it, he ran behind my
horse and crouched down, whispering
hoarsely: "Do not let him strike me !
Oh, my God" Thoroughly alarmed for
l the life of the man, dismonnted, unsad-
died and led my horse to the river for
| water. Z ;3f
The naked man followed close behind.
found his clothes in little pile behind
boulder by the river, bank. coaxed
him to put them on, which he die, with
| my assistance. Getting him into hip
camp, I easily induced him to lie down.
Finding the keg to be filled with whisky,
drew some, and made strong toddy,
which he drank at my request. I gave
him whiskey in moderation, and coaxed
him TO eat little trout I caught in the
river, worked over hin, for two DAYS,
until he finally slept fore few hours. AS
! soon as he awoke I gnve him. little
whiskey. He was in his right mind, but
dreadfully nervous. Two days more pass
| ed and he was himself again-emancia-
ted, sore, exhausted, but his nerves were
comparatively steady s.ee:a.aayy. Hs ssiii needed needed
| some one to lean on, some one to lie with.
When proposed to leave him, heobiect-
ed, saying. Il can not endure being clone
yet; l will 60 with you for o week or
two" Ws catched; his provisions i
| emptied his whiskey keg into the. river.
Mounting our horses, ,I5 Eode into the
mountains. As he regained his strength
L! and his mind became clear,aI found him
TO be singularly we'll informed. Our. last
| night together We spent on an island in
Lake Pen d'Oreilie. T nat night as we
sat by the camp fire listening to the little
waves kissing on the pehbly shore. and
i watching the shadows cast By the noun
tains on the waters of the lake, he. told
me of his trial in the canon.
II had been prospecting for placer
gold. I had, been drinking freely6foE
some days. IRseess0oii:seed II stop, I did so.
The next morning, aft I. q night spent in
short, feyeriah maps, broken viii dreams
of the most horrible description, arose
very nervous and weak. Thinking that
q bath In the cold water Of the torrent
would pc beneficial, and probably restore
( the tonejo my. nervous systeni, T.Rearily
totteIed 10 the river bank. Undressing
l myself, / sat on rock and looked into
the water. Itswarmed with aoa serpents,
i 5siaThu and daYii.hhsifl. AZ occasionnii
/ semi.human face, snrmounting aehapeless
body, grihned at me from among the
reptiles. or with lolling tongue cast scorn-
fnl glances at me. Alarmed at my con-
dition forced myself into the water.
The spectres retreated before me-
i Hearing loud shout. and many voices
behind me crying, Here he is; now we
have got him. I turned to see she narrow
valley filed with giants all with tin he'll.
NETS on their heads. I never doubted
the reality Of these epectres, The icsder
of these giants had q great club in his
hand. and struck murdefously at me. AN
the others grinned and nodded, aud sig.
niRcantly patted their stomacks. Look.
ing up the valley, then down, / saw
thousands of these creatures. Rushing
from the water, ran to my camp,
| Grasping the gun opened fire on them,
clearing my valley of all except the leader
1 Driven wild by theT relentless ni1rnuif rsIy.