The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-04-03
9uaerssa yatelligeness.
OVER THE VERGE.
An Adventure on a Mountain Trail.

An Adventure on d Mountain Trail.
During the fall of 1877, just after
the expedition which had resulted in
the running down and capturing Chief
Joseph and his band Of warriors, my
troop was detached to make a scout
from Camp Brown down through the
Rattlesnake range to the Platte river,
and from there to the Yellowstone by
way Of the Goose creek trail.
When we went into camp on Clear
creek, comrade, named Lee, and l
started off for days hunting among
the high peaks of the Big Horn noun
tains, expecting to get a few sheep.
Lee was a man of extraordinary
strength, and was noted in the regi-
ment for feats Of muscular ability.
We ascended the mountain by
deer trail, Lee riding in advance.
The trail led up ''hog-baek" until it
ran out against the side Of noun
tain, when we had to pick our way
over the side hill until we struck
another trail winding in zig-zag
manner toward the summit. We dis
mounted and led our horses, for the
trail ran dangerously close to the edge
of cliff that formed one side of an
immense canon, whose depth we could
only guess. Narrower and narrower
grew the trail as we advanced, until it
seemed to terminate at point only a
short distance in front of us. We
moved forward cautiously, for on one
side the mountain appeared to rise
from under our very feet into wall of
solid rock; on the other side, We look
ed into the depths Of the great canon,
which would prove an eternal grave to
either of US should he loso his footing
and topple into it.
The apparent termination Of the trail
was due to curve at that point, to
round which required steady nerves.
We passed it safely, but had not gone
20 yards when both horses bent their
ears forward, snorted, and showed
evidence of greater terror. Before l
could ascertain the cause of it, being
in the rear of Lee IS horse and unable to
see beyond it, a shot was fired that
awoke 10000 echoes.
What followed the sound of the shot
happened so quickly that | did not
realize danger until I found myself
hanging between life and death. My
horse, unable to see what was in the
path ahead Of us, but whose instinct
warned him of the presence of some
dreaded wild beast, had stopped in
terror, and, when the shot was fired,
suddenly threw up his head and began
backing. I had pulled the reins over
his head when l dismounted, and held
them in my right hand, to which fact
I owed my escape from instant death.
The rapid backward movement Of the
horse and the sudden tossing Of his
head threw me off my balance, and
before I could recover I was falling
over the cliff.
Instinctively, I frightened my hold
on the rcins, and endeavored to grasp
the edge of the cliff with my left hand
as I was rolling over. I did succeed
in checking the shock Of my fall some
what; but could not secure hold suf-
.fcient to sustain my weight. For
moment I hung over the terrible abyss,
my whole weight resting upon my
right arm. Quick as flash I grasped
the reins with my left, also, and there
I hung expecting death every instant,
for [ knew that my horse would not
stand long in the position he then
held.
I could see him standing above me,
and the beauty of his pose of the rig
idity of his position, as he stood braced
against the weight dangling at the end
Of his bridle-rein, made an impression
upon my memory that will never be
eradicated.
I asked myself how much longer it
was possible to hang by so frail sup.
port as 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 out,
awakening myriad echoes that seemed
to mock me with thrill laughter.
Again that backward movement Of my
horse, and as I felt the reins drag
along the edge Of the precipice, |
thought J. must surely let go and fall.
Strange thoughts began to flash
through my brain, mental pictures Of
loved ones long since dead appeared
to whisper prayers for me, there was
singing in my ears, and I realized
that my strength was giving out.
Just then I heard my name spoken.
At first I thought it was but the voice
of one of the visions my excited brain
had conjured up. But no, there it
sounded again. It was Lees voice,
calm, collected, and inspiring. He
was whispering words Of caution.
Opening my eyes, l saw his face
above me-what o white, scared face
it was, I thought. Slowly, oh, so
slowly, his hand stole down the reins
until it rested upon my wrist; then
there was quick grip Of powerful
fingers, IN exertion Of wonderful
strength, and-I was in safety. Lee
told me afterward that I was uncon-
scious when he stretched me out on
the trail.
The first shot had been fred at a
mountain lion that crouched in the
trail short distance ahead, and had
sent it crushing into the depths Of the
canon. Hearing my cry Of fear as |
toppled over the brink Of the cliff, he
had shot his horse to clear a path to
get back to where I was, and had been
in time to rescue me.-W r. Coulter.