The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-06-26
oNE oE NArURE,s MARYELs.

lfi GlN 1-ttBWSLDLF GaTk. E6tudi nc
the Philadelphia Times, beyond the Sho-
shone basin is perhaps the most remark
able gorge on the American continent.
Mr.. James Carroll, q well known citizen
of Helena, and reliable gentleman in
every respect, while out with an explor-
ing party in the unknown wiids of the
park last fall, says he came upon this
wonderful gorge, and went into one end
without suspecting anything unusual,
but came out the other end the most
surprised and astonished individual one
could possible imagine. Using Mr..
Carroll's words the description is as fol-
lows: "While waiting for my COM
panions dismounted and sat down on
a rock with my Winchester lying across
my knees. Around me was a scene of
grandeur. was in deep gorge which
led down into the valley. On each side
the gray cliffs lowered to magnificent
height. Behind me was the steep path
down which l had come through
thick growth of stunted pines, while in
front of and below me was the gorge IA
quarter Of mile wide, perhaps) its bot
tom covered from the foot OF one cliff to
the other with heavy growth of tim
Der.
AFTER resting awhile 1 stood up and
listened, expecting to hear my friends
approaching, hut not sound met my
eur. The stiffness was so deep that
feeling of uneasiness came over me, and
1 attempted to call out to my compan-
ions. But although L opened my mouth
and went through all the details of a
good lusty yell, not a sound could |
make. tried again, but with the same
result. I 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 friends were near, attempted
'whinny.' II was sad failure, for
she could not make a sound. She was
evidently as much astonished as I, and
became uneasy. / was on the point of
mounting and making an endeavoT to
get ont of the place, when a fierce look
ing animal of the panther tribe stepped
out of the bushes within thirty feet of
where l was standing. 1t saw me in
stantly and stopped to make spring at
me. hastily brought my gun to my
shoulder and fired; at least L thought
did. At any rate pulled the trigger,
felt the shock Of the usual recoil, bnt
there was no report, although the smoke
puffed out the end of the gun, and the
panther or mountain lion fell as if
struck. 1t Immediately jumped up and
hohbled into the brush, but leaving a
trail of blood behind it. 1 was now
confirmed in my former suspicion that
was in land of enchantment, and al
though not a. all superstitious under or
binary circumstances. would have not
been surprised now to see the devil him
self jump OUT from behind a rock. L
Immediately jumped on my horse and
started back over the trail had come.
In about a hundred yards L met my
companions, 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 into each
others faces 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, 1 could not help
laughing at their odd gestures, ,grimaces,
and red faces from their efforts at max
ing themselves heard. They were
pretty badly frightened, too, [ could see:
SO beckoniug them to follow me 1 rode
on ahead and acted as guide. No at
tempt was now make at conversation.
After going quarter of mile in sill
ence lost my way. One of my com
rades, who seemed to think that he
could iind the way ont. came up close
to me, and, bending over So that his
mouth was close to my ear, with a su-
perhuman effort yelled at the top of his
lungs: Let me Lead l staegard back.
and came near falling, for his shout
nearly burst my tympanum. In a word,
We had got out of the charmed air.
The gorge described above really ex-
lists and possesses the remarkable prop-
critics described by Mr.. Carroll; but it is
totally off the liue of travel, neither is
it described in any the tourists guides
of the park; it will perhaps be visited
by few this year, and possibly not be-
come well known for some time, owing
to its unknown position and inacces-
sibility.,