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

out the probable lay of the land. To tn
south the canon narrowed, the countr!
evidently grew moro rugged, and tn
timber thickened. To the north tn
canon widened, and the walls seemed t
be less precipitous. Following the wind
ines of the stream as closely as possible
with my eyes, I came to the CONCLUSION
that some four or five miles iurthe
north it would be possible to descend t
the stream; then, by riding up the val
lev, l could get to the camp of the afflict
ted miner. While settling this, I frequent
ly saw the naked man running quickly
from tree to tree, or crouching under the
thorn bushes like an animal IN Tear
Once he sneaked to the river, where he
picked up a stone. With cry of com
bat, he 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
western wall of the cabin, be disappear
ed among the thorn bushes.
Saddling my horse, / rode back into
the mountains and slowly picked my way
to the north along mountain TANKS,
over burnt lands where extensive timbe!
fires had ragged, causing the unconsumed
portions of the trees to fall in tangle
like Jack straws. An intense desire to
get to this man, to aid him in his imagi-
nary flight, had taken possession OF me.
L was NO longer hungry or nervous.
pushinp on az RAPIDLY as could for two
hours, / turned and rode westward to-
ware the canon. I had ridden past its
mouth. The precipitous walls broke
off abruptly, and with grand swell
curved back into mountain slopes that
extended down to the river. Dismount-
ing led my horse down the steep. noun
tain side, and was soon at the stream IN
the valley. Fording the river and find
ing o good trail on the other side, rode
rapidly up it on .canter. Arriving
at the camp of the miner; I'reined in my
horse and sat on the animal, an4iously
looking around. I saw the naked man
crouchcd under some bushes, and rode
over to him.
He at once regarded me as a friend
and reinforcement, and told me his trou-
bles. Instantly saw that he was suffering
with deliripm tremens. He was. crazy,
and, though in his camp, lost. He did
not know where his clothes were; did
not realize that he was naked. With
vivid distinctness he described to me a
giant clad in armor, with bright tin
helmet on mis- 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 tborns
as he rushed through the bushes in his
mad flights from the specters created by
his disordered brain. With sud-
den pressure of his hand on 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 at in the morning,
and in dry, husky whisper said: "There
he is! See the great club he has in his
hand. He is going to strike me Shoot
shoot! shoot" 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 Godw Thoroughly alarmed for
the life of the man, dismounted, unsad-
died and led my horse to the river for
water.
The naked man followed close behind.
found his clothes in a little pile behind
a boulder by the river bank. I coaxed
him to put them on, which he did, with
my assistance. Getting him into his
camp, easily induced him to lie down.
Finding the keg to be filled with whisky,
I drew some, and made strong toddy,
which he drank at my request. l gave
him whiskey in moderation, and coaxed
him to eat little trout I caught in the
river. worked over him for two days,
until he finally slept for few hours. As
soon as he awoke I gave 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. bit his nerves were
comparatively steady. He still needed
some one to lean on, some one to be with.
When proposed to leave him, he object
ed, saying, II can not endure being alone
yet; 1 will go with you for week OF
two" We catched his provisions. ]
emptied his whiskey keg into the river
Mounting our horses, we rode into the
mountains. As he regained his strength
and his mind became clear, / found him
to be singularly we'll informed. Our last
night together We spent on an island ir
Lake Pen d'Oreille. That night as We
sat by the camp fire listening to the little
waves Kissing on the pebbly shore, aut
watching the shadows cast by the noun
tains on the waters of the lake, he ,tolc
me of his trial in the canon.
81 had been prospecting for placer
gold. had been drinking freely fol
some days. Resolved to stop, | did so
The next morning, after night spent ir
short, feyerish maps, broken with dream:
of the most horrible description, [ arose
very nervous and weak. Thinking thai
a bath in the cold water of the torren
would be beneficial, and probably restore
the tone of my nervous system, L .wearilI
tottered to the river bank. Undressing
myself, sat on a rock and looked into
the water. Itswarmed with sea serpents
sharks and devil-fsh. An occasiona
semi-human face, surmounting ashapeles:
body, grinned at me from among the
reptiles, or with lolling tongue cast scorn
full glances at me. Alarmed at my con
dition I forced myself into the water
The spectres retreated before me-
Hearing loud shout. and many voice:
behind me crying, Here be is; now We
have got him. I turned to see the narrow
valley filled with giants all with tin hel
NETS on their heads. / never doubted
the reality of these spectres. The leade
of these giants had a great club in hi
hand, and struck murderously at me. AL
the others grinned and nodded, and sig
ni6cantly patted their stomachs. Look
ing up the valley, then down, sav
thousands of these creatures. Rushing
from the water, I ran to my camp
Graspiug the gun opened fire on them