The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-10-20
A WONDER OF THE YELLOWSTONE.
DISCOVERY OF a GORGE WHERE THE AIR
Is A NON CONDUCTOR OF SOUND.

Is ANON-CONDUCTOK OF SOUND.
James Carroll, a well known citizen of
Helena, Montana, says the Herald of that
place, recently made remarkable discovery
in the Yellowstone Park. He was alone,
waiting for his fellow excursionists to come
up. But let him tell the story
while waiting 1 dismounted and sat
down on rock, with my Winchester laying
across my knees. Around me was a scene
of grandeur. | was in 4 deep gorge which
led into the valley. On each side the gray
cliffs lowered to magnificent height Be
mind me was the steep path down which
had come through the thick growth Of stunt
ed pines, while in front of and below me was
the gorge Ca quarter of mile wide, perhaps J.,
its bottom covered from the foot of one cliff
to the other with a heavy growth of timber
After resting awhile l stood up and listen
ed, expecting to hear my friends approach
ing. But not a sound met my ear. The still
ness was so deep that a feeling of uneasineSs
came over me- and | attempted to call out to
my companions. But although l opened my
mouth and went through all the details of q
good luS.y yell. not sound could / make.
l tried again and with the same result
couldn't understand it. My horse, which had
been standing quietly by me, noticed a move
ment OF the bushes near by. and probably
thinking her equine friends were near at
tempted whinner.' 1t was sad failure,
for she could not make a sound. She was
evidently as much astonished as /, and be-
came as uneasy.
60 1 was on the point of mounting and start
ing back up the mountain, when a fierce
looking wild animal of the panther tribe
stepped out of the bushes within about thirty
feet of where | was standing. 1t saw me
instantly and stopped TO spring at me.
hastily brought my gun to my shoulder and
fired, shall | say? No. / pulled the trig-
ger, but there was no report although the
smoke Duifed out at the end of the gun and
the wild beast fell as if struck. 1t immedi-
ateiy jumped up and hobbled into the brush,
but leaving trail of blood behind it.
was now confirmed in my former suspicion
that | was in land of enchantment, and al
though not at all SuperStIJlOuS under Ordi-
nary circumstances | would not have been
much surprised now to see the devil himself
jump out from behind rock. l Immediate
ly jumped on my horse and started back up
the path.
In about a hundred yards 1 met my COM
paniOns, who were all standing close together
trying to talk to each other, but although
they seemed to be shouting at the top of their
voices they were really as dumb as the dead {.
Although [ felt that Old Nick himself was
just as likely as not to be on my trail L could
not help laughing at their odd gestures,
grimaces and red faces from their efforts at
making themselves heard. They were pretty
badly frightened, too.
" passed by them and beckOned them to
follow me back the way we had come. No
attempt was made at conversation. After
going quarter of a mile in silence | lost my
way. One of my comrades who seemed to
think he knew the way back to the trail
came up close to me and bending over so
that his mouth was close to my ear with
superhuman effort yelled Let me lead Z
His shout nearly bursted my .tympanum,
We had got out of the charmed all"