The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-02-09
MY GOOD INDIAN,

In the latter part OF September,
1889, found myself with a party OF
surveyors locating disputed Ii inc for
a cattle company in the southern
part of New Mexico on the Rio Pecos
Eiver
Our work was nearly completed
when on the Esd of September we
reached the terminus Of our survey on
the stream called "Seven rivers" a
small branch OF the Rio Pecos which
ran up almost to the foot OF the
'Guadaaoupe range.
The hospitality OF ranchmen is pr O.
verbal, and Tom Williams, whose
ranch lay at the head OF Seven rivers,
was no exception to the rule. His
rough cordiality and open hearted
ness soon convinced us7that we were
welcome to the best the place afford
ed, and our plans for the nig ht were
made accordingly.
The mountains were not more than
a mile away, while to the eastward
from their base stretched beautiful
valley, whose deep cushions OF luxur-
:ious grass were duly appreciated by
herds OF long-horned Texas cattle.
Rising early the following morning 1
shouldered my rifle and determined to
go up into the mountains and spend a
day by myself in the pursuit OF that
noble game, the deer.
An hour or more before the sun
arose in the valley crossed the fields
of cacti that grew in great patches on
the first range or foothills and COM
nlenced the ascent.S
just as the sun appeared on the
eastern horizon, seemingly from g.
morning bath in Seven rivers, I came
80 a little valley in the main range,
aud the path, that had been obstruct-
ed with bits OF broken rock and
washed out in places by recent rains,
improved so that travelling was com
paratively easy. .-
The mountain scenery, already
rough and broken, became more
grand as I advanced, the main peak
rearing itself in snowy grandeur into
the clear blue OF the morning sky.
Before me little forest stretched it.
self across the valley and hid the
scenes hey ond, a little stream coursed
Through its center like liquid silver
pure and clear as q celestial fountain,
the vale growing smaller and it's sides
,lssore precipitous.
The sun had not yet risen in this
secluded spot and the'somber shadows
OF night still fingered among the rocks
and trees.
Following the windings OF the stream,
when came out upon the opposite
side q scene so magnificent and impress
sive met my gaze that, for moment,
L WAS spellbound. On either side
mature had heaped up walls OF solid
granite to q height OF over 100 feet;
huge boulders.. extended in places, seem
ing!y on the point OF tumbling into the
little stream below. And not more
than twenty rods from me the valley
ended in an abrupt cliff, over whose
uneven surface the stream tumbled in
picturesque rapids for little distance
and then dashed off in beautiful cas-
>cade to the rocks below-a miniature
Niagara, it's silvery spray glistenine
in the suns first beam as q cloud OF
diamonds. sparkling with all its lus.
ter. An occasional scrub oak chung
to the rocky walls and tufts of noun.
tain grass danged from the numer.
Gus crevices.
just at this moment l discovered
an animal drinking from the crystal
pool into which the little cataract
poured it's foaming waters. At first
l. could not determine its nature; the
tawny color, long, gaunt form and
black spots under the jaws declared
ut q mountain lion, but it's immense
SIZE seemed to contradict these prom
anent character marks Raising my
rifle, determined to dispatch it i
possible and make my study at closer
rage. .,
The report OF my rifle aroused al
the echo voices OF the glen; but 6
sound, too loud for an echo, though
closely resembling the report OF a rifle
came from the opposite side OF tn,
.eutch. But could discover no smok,
save that caused by the discharge o
my own rifle and concluded the sounc
had been only a remarkably clea7
echo.
The game was out OF sight, and ad
'vanced cautiously to obtain anothe,
shot ii possible if the irst had no,
taken etfect-crossine the stream tt
the opposite side. Reaching small
pile Of rocks some distance nearer tn
waterfall, ! disco vered large cave i,
the towering walls Of granite across
the gulch, which had been hidden
where frat stood by huge boulder
Just at this moment the bushe
stirred, and the animal, which it nov
seemed plain was a mountain lion
evidently wounded, dragged itself to
ward the cave. Another deadly 4.
flew across the gulch and buried itsel
in his heart.
Bending over the long, gaunt beas
wi,a: was my establishment to 6n
three wounds, all fresh, in the body q
the now harmless mountain robber
For q moment was bewildered an
sgas abont,1o turn and examine m