Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1886-06-24
GREAT COUGAR HUNT.

ScENERY.-Craigs mountain in blood
sbed and wild excitement.
CuARAcTERs.--E. J. Chase, Il. c.
and George Atkinson, of Grangeville,
the heroes; +. G. and VIM. f.. Martin,
a couple of Kansas tenderfoots.
Tuesday night three Of Grangeville's
bloods, +. c. and George Atkinson and
E. ]. Chase ascertained the fact that
there were two fellows just out from
Kansas stopping on Craigs mountains,
and making up to have some sport, drove
up with their freight wagons bound for
Lewiston, and they, in great excitement,
told the Kansas boys that they had just
seen the largest cougar that they had ev-
er before seen in their lifetime, and that
If they could find some one that pos
sessed grit enough to stand by them in
case of an attack, they would take their
dog and tree him. The Kansas boys
volunteered their services. Blood curdl-
ing stories were told that would raise the
hair on a brass monkey. While they
were on the trail and when they thought
they had the Kansas boys primcd, George
gave an unmerciful yell, and in the brush
he went pell.mell, through the thick-un-
derbrush at break neck speed, the rest of
the crowd close at his hecls-the Grange
vile boys undergoing difficulties, falling
over logs, tearing their clothes and rails
Ing the devil generally. Every time
they looked ba;k the Kansas boys were
At their heels, as well as on their racket,
and made up their minds to wear them
out as they had the decided advantage !;
It being after night, and when the
Grangeyille boys fell over a log or in
ravine in keeping the dog ahead and ex-
cited, they would run on to them, al
ways managing to keep on top. After
keeping up dead run and scramble for
about half an hour, E. j. G. got far
enough ahead to shoot, jump back and
yell for "for Gods sake boys runp' but
the Kansas boys didn't run. George
said the cougar jumped in his face and
that he (the COUGAR knocked the dog
about four feet. Chase now wished to
wait for daylight ard then kill him, but
cougar was what the Kansas boys came
after and cougar was what they were go
Ing to have If the Grangeville boys didn't
60 back on them. So they rushed
around and struck the trail again, and
away they went pursuing harder than
ever, with the intention Of out winding
the Kansas boys and getting to camp,
for it was getting hot for them. Bang
bang! went the old shotgun in the
hands Of Il. ]. G., when again they
jumped back in holy terror, and that
they had wounded him and had no more
cartridges and he would not advance a
step without more ammunition. Il. NJ,
one Of the Kansas boys came to his re-
lief and said ho would stand guard un-
Ill they returned, but being careful to
have his big brother go with them to see
that they got back all right Great
beads Of sweat rolled down tho boys
faces, and not particle of dry clothing
on them, feet sore and tired, they wend-
ed their way back to camp about two
miles. When they we're nearing the
camp, tho one left to guard opened up
such faselade with his forty-fve Win.
chester as to stimulate them as they came
over hill, using the sound Of the rifle to
guide them. Now it was their turn to
become excited, as they heard the Kan
sas fellow yell and the bang, bang of the
Winchester. Over brush pile, thong
and creek they tore trying to catch up
with the Kansas boys as they flew down
the creek; finally all out of breath and
. total wreck, they got close enough to
tell, "what in the devil is the matter?
when the reply came back, "for Heavens
sake come on quick, there are eight cou.
gass going down the crock all in row."
George and E. j. G. said 'sfor Gods
sake boys let's 60 home" This they did,
sick, with clothes torn, scratched and
beautifully deckod with mud. E.A.