The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-12-24
STORY OF ADVENTURE.
A CLOSE CALL.


Thanksgiving day found Sam Beresford
and myself on the summit of the range
overlooking the Bear Lake valley. 1t was
our first attempt at deer hunting. We
had left Meadville IN the morning, our
destination beng Curtis ranch, fifteen
miles down the Blacksmith Fork canyon.
The only game we had SO far bagged con-
sisted of some dozen pine hens. secured
from covey flushed near the top of the
ridge. A solitary deer passed us in good
range, but in our excitement We fired.
wild. saw one bullet strike twenty-five
yards to the left of where l was supposed
to be aiming.
As we started down the trail l glanced
at the time. Five O'Clock, and darkness
already approaching. 1t would be moon
light, however, and we'd been told we
could not miss our way. Some distance
down, Sam stopped, and slipped from the
saddle, took hold of the bride ana walked
carefully ahead, calling to me to ''mind
myself, the roadway was very rough. -
"Roughl" l calculated, as my horse
stumbled over a big rock. "Well should
remark. This is evidently what that young
fellow spoke of as the Danish Dugway -
We managed to get through and re-
mounting continued our journey down
the canyon. was awfully tired inside of
another hour ard caught myself doing.
several times.
"Funny we don't come to that ranch, -
! finally remarked, riding up alongside of
Sam. No reply. ! glanced in his direc-
stopped both horses, and getting down
from the saddle took out my flask for d
good long pull. The solitude struck me
forcibly with Sam asleep. | replaced the
flask and walked over to his side. He
looked so cOmical with his head fallen
forward to one side that / burst out
laughing; but the laugh froze on my lips
as / heard some distance to our right a
most diabolical half scream, half roar. 1t
was answered by another if anything
more hellish than the first. My heart
beat wildly. Sam woke with a start and
almost fell from his saddle.
''Grab the gunsi'' / yelled as I caught
hold of both horses and endeavored TO
quiet them. Sam recovered himself in
time to detach our four guns, as one OF
the horses broke loose from my grasp and
galioped off down the canyon. I let go
the other. 1t was no use trying to hold
him They we're both frantic with fear.
Once more that hideous scream broke the
stiffness.
Mountain lions, - said Sam in a
hoarse whisper / could see his face
blanch in the moonlight.
why, Sam, - ! managed to chatter as
we took up our rifles and tremblngly
pushed shells into the magazines, 81 had
no idea there were any lions so close to
civilization. -
Nor ~ he replied. ''Give me some
whisky, Jack. I've got to recover my
nerve
handed him the flask and he empied
ii at one draught. We stood irresolute
Suddenly | saw the CLEAN OF light. 1t
seemed to come from the very road we
had Travelled. ! called SANS attention to
it. adding:
'.Fm going for that light. 1t must be
g house. Pm not out hunting lions, and
Pm not anxious to have them hunt me, -
And picking up my shotgun, off | started,
Sam following.
Careful, old man, he said, ssw're
liable to get ourselves into trouble, any
moment.''
We walked back cautiously over the
trail, keeping the light in view.
''Dow-9uick, - whispered Sam; and
we both dropped. ! looked ahead and
saw two enormous beasts glide across the
road. Ny heart commenced humping
again. We OAt l1b otcNlg OI3 Jul ItucS HCIu
ready for instant use.
We were now nearly abreast of the light
and saw that it came from a house on the
other side the creek, just below where the
lions had crossed. 1t must be the ranch
and we'd passed ii while half asleep. We
paused at little bridge crossing the
stream. The house was now in full view.
not ten rods distant.
Again that horrible scream. 1t seemed
but q few Yards away. Sam half raised
himself. "Look," ne whispered excit-
eddy, ''there they are-to the left, near
the barn"
l looked in the direction indicated
There they We're. Magnificent speci-
mensl Never before had l looked upon