The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-07-13
HANGING TOA Birdie
A THRILLING ADVENTURE IN THE BIG
HORN MOUNTAINS.
A Hunter Held over n Bottomless Canyon
by His Horbe's Eridic Rcin-Tho Mys-
terry of Two Rifle Shots Explained-Hov
Lee Cleared tho Path.

terry of Two Rifle Shots Expiained-How
Lee Cleared tho Path.
During the fall Of 1877. just after tho
expedition which had resulted in tho
running down and capturing Of Chief
Joseph and his band Of warriors, my
troop was detached to mako a scout
from Camp Brown down through tho
Rattlesnako range to the Platte river
tnd from there to tho Yellowstone by
way of tho Goose Creek trail
When we camped ON Clear creek, a
romradc named Leo and | started or
for a days hunting among tho high
peaks Of tho Big Horn mountains. OK
pecting to get few sheep. Leo was n
man of extraordinary strength and was
noted in tho regiment for his feats Of
muscular ability.
We assembled the mountain by deer
trail, Leo riding in advance. Tho trail
led up n "hogback" until it ran out
against the side of the mountain, then
wo had to pick our way over tho side
hill until we struck another trail wind
ing in zigzag manner toward the sum
init. We dismounted aud led our horses.
for tho trail ran dangerously close to the
edge of cliff that formed ono side Of
an immense canyon, whose depth we
could only guess. Narrower and mar
rover grew tho trail as we advanced
until it seemed to terminate at point
only short distance in front of us. We
moved forward cautiously, for on ono
sido tho mountain appeared to rise from
under our very feet into wall Of solid
rock. On tho other side we looked into
tho depths Of tho great canyon, which
would prove an eternal grave to either
Of us should he lose his footing and top
pie into it.
The apparent termination Of tho
trail was due to curve at that point,
to round which required steady nerves.
We passed it safely. but had not como
20 yards when both horses bent their
ears forward, snorted and showed evil
dences Of tho greatest terror. Before
could ascertain tho cause of it, being in
rear Of Leo's horse and unable to SEQ
beyond it, o shot was fired that awoke
ten thousand echoes.
What followed the sound Of tho shot
happened so quickly that did not re-
alize danger until 1 found myself hang
ing between life and death. My horse,
unable to see what was in tho path
ahead of us, but whose instinct warned
him Of the presence of some dreaded
wild beast, had stopped in terror, and,
when the sEot was fired, suddenly threw
up his head and began backing l had
pulled the reius over his head when l
dismounted and held them in my right
hand, to which fact | owed my escape
from instant death. The rapid back
ward movement of the horse and the
sudden tossing of his head threw mo off
my balance, and before | could recover
was falling over the cliff
Instinctively frightened my hold on
tho reins and endeavored to grasp the
edge of the cliff with my left hand as l
was rolling over. did succeed in check
ing tho shock of my fall somewhat, but
could not secure hold sufficient to sus-
tain my weight For q moment hung
suspended over tho terrible abyss, my
whole weight resting upon my right
arm. Quick as a flash / grasped the
roins with my left also, and there |
hung, expecting death every instant,
for l knew that my horse would not
stand long in the position he then held.
could SEQ him standing above me,
and the beauty Of his pose and the rig
idity of his position, as he stood braced
against tho weight dangling ut tho end
OF his bride rein, made an impression
upon my memory that will never be
eradicated.
i asked myself how much longer il
was possible to hang by so frail sup.
port as q bit Of leather. The grip of my
hands was so tight that my finger ends
were tingling and burning as though
touched with hot iron.
Suddenly another shot rang ont,
awakening a myriad of echoes that
seemed 10 mock me with shrill laughter.
Again that backward movement of my
horse, and as l felt the reins drag along
tho edge of the precipice l Thought
must surely let go and fall. Strange
: thoughts began TO flash through my
brain, mental pictures of loved one:
long since dead appeared to whisper
prayers for me, there was singing in my
ears, and | realized that my strength
, was giving out
just then | heard my name spoken
At first thought it was but tho voic,
, OF one Of the visions my excited brair
had conjured up. Butno; thereit sound
ed again. 1t was Lees voice, calm, col
lectod and inspiring. Ho was whisper
ing words of caution.
+ Opening my eyes. saw his face abov,
| me-what n white. scared face it was
/ l thought Slowly. oh, so slowly, hi
: hand stole down the roins until it resteC
upon my wrist. Then there was "a quicl
grip of powerful fingers. an exertion O
wonderful strength, and was in safety
Lee told me afterward that | was un
conscious when no stretched me out OF
the trail.
, The first shot had been fired Mt
! mountain lion that crouched in tho trai
q short distance ahead and had sent /
I crashing into the depths of the canyon
r Hearing my cry of fear rs Itoppled owe
, the brink Of the cliff. he had shot hi
horse TO clear n path TO get back L
/, where was and had been in time 4
rescue me. w. p Coulter in San Fran
r cisco Argonaut.