The Osceola times., 1882-11-25
WONDER OF THE YELLOWSTONE
Discovery of a Gorge Where the Atmos.
phere IL a Non-Conductor Of sound.

VI "htTc the Atmns.
phere Is a Non-Conductor Of Sound
Helena (Montans) Herald.
James Carroll, well-known citizen of
Helena, recently made a remarkable dis
coyery in the Yellowstone Park. He
was alone, waiting for his fellow-ex-
cur5ionists to come up. But let him tell
his own story: "While waiting | dis
mounted and sat down on o rock. with
nv Winchester laying across my knees.
Around me was scene of grandeur. |
was in deep gorge which led down in
to the valley. On each side the gray
cliffs lowered to a magnificent height
Behind me was the deep path down
which ] had come through thick
growth of stunted pines, while in front
of and below me was the gorge "a quar-
ter of a mile wide, perhaps) its bottom
covered from the foot of one cliff to the
other with heavy growth of timber.
"After resting awhile ! stood up and
listened. expecting TO hear my friends
approaching. But not sound met my
ear. The stiffness was so deep that a
] tpGilnU Ol llltdSllltSN Nstlll' ONtl IIlt, ana
| attempted TO call out to my compan-
les. But although opened my mouth
and went through all the details of
| good lusty yell, not sound could make.
| / tried again and with the same result.
couldn't understand it, Ny horse,
| which had been standing quietly by me.
noticed a movement of the bushes near
/ by. and probably thinking her equine
: = > ottnp1rtaI N t,.tJi
nor, Ii was q sad failure, for she could
/ ms much astonished as |, and became as
uneasy.
81 was on the point Of mounting and
starting back up the mountain, when a
ficrce-looking wild animal of the panther
tribe stepped out of the bushes within
about thirty feet of where ! was stand
/ inc. 1t saw me instantly and stopped
to spring at me. ! hastily brought my
gun to my shoulder and-flred, shall !
saw? No. Ipulled the trigger, bet there
was no report, although the smoke pulled
out the end of the gun and the wild beast
fell as if struck. 1t Immediately jumped
up and hobbled into the brush, but
leaving trail of blood behind it. | was
now confirmed in my former suspicion
that | was in a land of enchantment,
and although not at all superstitious un-
der ordinary circumstances | would not
have been much surprised now to see
the devil himself jump out from behind
a rock. | Immediately jumped on my
horse and started back up the path.
"In about hundred yards met my
companions, who were all standing close
together trying to talk to each other,
but although they seemed to be shout
ing 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 the trail | could
not help laughing at their odd gestures,
liimaces and red faces from their ef-
forts at making themselves heard. They
were pretty badly frightened, too.
81 passed by them and beckoned them
to follow me back the way we had come.
No attempt was now made at converse
ton. After going quarter of mile in
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 n superhuman
effort yelled Let me leadp His shout
nearly burste6 my tympanum. We
had got out of the charmed air"