Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1889-04-26
A PERILOUS ADVENTURE.

II L G1bll4OOD AL LIN y 1b41s
10 Barton was IA years old when his parent:
moved from Illinois to Kansas and settled on
a claim on the Verdigris river, three miles
above where the city of Cofeyville now
stands
There were few settlers ia that vicinity al
the time, and game, sucn as deer, wild tur-
keys, geese and ducks, were found in great
Numbers along the stream.
Jo who was the proud possesssor Of a
double barreled shot gun, spent much Of his
time, when not engaged In work on the claim,
in roaming through the woods in search of
game, and managed by these frequent excur-
Bions into the woods to keep the family well
supplied with fresh meat
The river ran a westerly course from the
Barton cabin for about a mile, then made an
abrupt curve to the left, flowing in a south
easterly direction Just where the river
makes the short turn, on the left bank stands
a steep cliff that rises to the height of $50
feet above the water. This Is known as Ea-
gle Rock, deriving its name from the fact
that for many years pair Of eagles built
their nest In the rocks about midway along
the face Of the cliff.
10 often passed by this ledge in his ram
bles through the woods and one warm Oc-
tober day he discovered that a swarm Of bees
were busily at work in a crevico Of the rocks
about forty or fifty feet from the summit of
the cliff.
He told his father Of this fact on his return
home, and endeavored to induce him to help
him to devise some means Of obtaining the
honey.
But Mr.. Barton discouraged any such eff
forts, and replied that it was an undertaking
Of more danger than profit.
But this was far from checking Joes de-
termination to see what could be done in that
direction.
He returned to the cliff the next day, and
took mental survey Of the surroundings
On closer inspection of the ledge, he dis
covered that a shelf Of rock ran along its face
Just below where the bees had taken up their
quarters, and could easily be reached by let
ting rope down from the top
He had brought rope with him-one that
his father had used in sinking well. It was
about twenty-five yards long, and would
easily reach from the top Of the cliff to the
shelf of rocks to which he wished TO descend.
He tied one end Of the rope to a small tree
that stood on the very edge of the precipice.
Then he threw the other end over, and COM
menced to descend.
The first twenty feet of his descent was
more of an incline than perpendicular and
as he slowly made his way over this by means
of the rope he noticed signs that indicated
that some sort Of wild animals had recently
made their den in the rocks.
he was fully convinced Of this fact when,
descending little further, be came to pro-
lection In the cliff and discovered several
large holes extending back into the precipice.
He continued his descent till he reached the
shelf below, and here he found an easy foot
ing.
A few yards along the cliff, just above the
shelf Of rock, he discovered the bees busily
swarming about large crevice
But he saw at a glance that it would be inn
possible to obtain the honey without the use
Of powder to blow away the rocks
The creYice or opening in which the bees |
had taken up their quarters was securely pro- |
fected from invasion by huge bowlder that |
would weigh a ton at least
! After examining the place carefully, Joe |
came to the conclusion that the bowlder could |
readily be removed by placing a good charge |
of powder In the crevice behind it and light /
ing it by means Of fuse
J It would take but short time to try the |
experiment, at least, and he made up bis |
mind to do so at once.
} He hurriedly climbed to the top Of the cliff.
and then returned home, where he obtained
a couple Of pounds Of blasting powder and
about twenty feet Of fuse, that had been left
over from blasting in the well
He said nothing to his parents regarding
his intentions, but hurried back to the cliff
alone, anxious to put his plan into execution.
He placed thespowder and fuse In bis coat
pocket, and again climbed down the rope to
the shelf Of rock on the face Of the cliff. He
then wrapped the powder in long, fat par
eel, and placing one end Of the fuse in this,
he tied it securely with Irvine. He then slip
ped the parcel into the crevice behind the
Dowlder as far as he could, and made ready
70 light the fuse
The bees few about him, angry at the In
trusion, and drove him along the shelf sew
eral yards, where he waited for their rage to
subside before lighting the fuse.
He then looked at bis rope, and made sure
that it was all right and in its proper place.
It would not do to make any characterization.
He must be ready to climb the minute he
fired the fuse, as there would be no time to
lose.
Seeing that everything was secure and the
rope In place, he picked up the end Of the
fuse and drew a match from his pocket He
casta glance over the edge Of the precipice
as he didso, and drew back with a shudder.
A hundred feet below the river roared
through mass OF sharp, Jagged rocks
What If the rope by some mischance should
become detached from its fastening above!
He took hold Of the rope again and pulled
on it It was still secure; but as the rope
moved at his touch he heard a slight noise on
the shelf Of rock overhead. he glanced up
ward, and as he did 50 he met sight that
chilled him with terror.
Standing on the rocky ledge above his
head, its restless eyes flashing and long tail
ashing the rock, stood large mountain lion.
For one brief, terrible moment 10 stood as
Z frozen to the spot He could see the ami
mails large, cat like eyes fixed upon hun, and
The big paws reaching out along the rocks as
9 glided slowly and noiselessly toward him.
10 had never encountered one Of these ami
mails before, though be knew what 1t was at
! glance and recognized the fact that he was
n the most deadly peril he had no means
II defending himself and escape was impossi-
de II It should attack him
The only weapon IN his possession was a
Rocket knife; but an attempt to defend him
eli with such frail means Of defense against