The herald., 1893-08-27
He FELL DOWN A PREC|P|CE,
Mr.. Briefly Has a Narrow Es-
cape from Death.
His Left Leg Was Broken. and He
Was Badly Bruised.
While Fighting Mountain Lion the
Hunter Was Forced Over the
Precip:cs by the Enraged
Animal.

TeJunga mountains day before yeeter-
day, Mr.. Briefly, mountaineer of that
region. fell backward over precipice,
breaking the left leg, cutting his head
and seriously bruising his entire body.
He fell distance of 35 feet down very
rocky bluff. He now lies in precarious
condition at the home of II. d. Cham
berlaln, in the Eagle Rock valley.
The ntory is remarkable one. Briefly
was out. hunting with DR.. ]. w. Jauch
of this city, John Hall of Tejunga and
Mr.. Chamberlain of Eagle Rock valley.
DIR. Jauch left the city Thursday, joining
the other members of the party near the
Tejunga region.
Thurday morning the party reached
the heart OF the Tejunga mountsins,
where deer are as thick ae hair on dog
and bear too numerous for the average
hunter. The mountains in this region
are very little explored. .and to the hunt
er of bear and other large game are q
paradise. Mountain lions, wildcats and
other equally vicious animals abound in
large numbers. a
The party reached the heart OF their
hunting grounds about o'clock. The
moon shone brightly, and the scene
around them was picturesquely grand.
On either side rose high hills, studded
with live oaks and manzanitas. A small
valley lay before them.
A halt was made, the faithful horses
tethered, and after a few other minor
details were looked, after, the party
spread in separate directions for an
hours hunting by moonlight.
DR.. Jauch was the first to spy big
game. A monster buck jumped from
the brush and was making of up the
hill when a well-directed shot did the
work. The crack of HALLS rife soon
rang out in the chilly morning air,
which, as was afterwards learned, made
another deer bite the dust.
Daylight could barely be seen, and
there was a peculiar stiffness in the
air. A shot two miles away could
easily be heard.
A sharp, echoing report split the air
and told that Brierly's rifle had been
aimed at big game. 1t proved to be the
biggest game any of the hunters en-
countered.
| A yelp of some wounded beast rent
the air, and the other hunters knew
| instantly that Briefly had encountered
mountain lion. The yelp of the lion
was soon followed by cries of help from
Briefly. The other hunters made their
way to the scene as quickly as possible.
DIR. Jauch was the fret to reach the
scene. He found himself on bluff,
and as daylight was commencing he
could see clots of blood scattered about.
Briefly was coon found, but the lion
| Was nowhere to be seem
Looking over the precipice 35 feet be-
low the doctor saw Briefly lying in a
cuddled-up position, moaning in hor-
rifying manner. The party rushed
down the bluff, secured water, forced
whisky down his throat. He was
placed in as comfortable position as
possible and everything done to relieve
him. ae
His head was found to be frightfully
cut, the left leg broken and his body
badly bruised. 1t was some time before
he was restored to consciousness.
On being revived, he suffered the
pain heroically. He was carried to the
wagon, where he was comfortably bed
ded. Then hurried camp breaking
was made and the forlorn hunters were
soon on their way to the home of Cham
berlain, nearly days travel away.
When Chamberlsin's place was
reached the mountaineer was properly
attended to by DR.. Jauch. He then was
able to tell the story OF his terrible en-
counter.
Mr.. Briefly said the lion was lying
upon a large limb. and when he shot
him the animal sprang into the brush
and made toward him. He knew the
shot took effect, but vsinly attempted
to get another aim. The thick brush
made it impossible for the lion to be seen
plainly.
The lion suddenly sprang from under
the brush. and then battle between
man and beast was commenced. The
brave mountaineer evidently lost his
presence OF mind, for instead of using
his hunting knife he fought with his
rifle. He had miscalculated the distance
| to the edge of the precipice, and walked
| off backward in his endeavor to keep the
animal fran tearing him to pieces. The
1 lion scratched him badly, and as soon as
he fell down the precipice made off. Mr..
Briefly is sure the animal was badly
wounded.
DR.. Jauch arrived in the city yester-
| day, to find the rumor that he had been
killed In fight with bear. He tells
| of the terrible occurrence most graph
ically, and says it was one Of the most
trying times OF his life. He thinks
Briefly will recover if properly attended.
THE SPRINTERS KICKED.