St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-03-01

OVER THE VERGE.

the running down and capturing of
Chief Joseph and his band of war
riors, 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 Greek trail.
When we went into camp on Clear
Creek. a comrade, named Lee, and
started off for a days hunting
among the high peaks Of the Big
Horn Mountains, expecting to get d
few sheep. Lee was man of ex-
traordinary strength, and was not
ed in the regiment for his feats of
muscular ability.
We assembled the mountain by
deer trail, Lee riding in advance.
The trail led up "hog-back" until
it ran out against the side of the
mountain, when we had to pick our
way over the sde.hill until we struck
another trail winding in zigzag
manner towards the summit. We
dismounted and led our horses, for
the trail ran dangerously close to
the edge of a cliff that formed one
side oil an immense canon, whose
depth we could only gness. Narrow
er and narrower grew the trail as we
advanced, until it seemed to term-
nate at point only short distance
in front OF us. We moved forward
cautiously, for on one side the noun
tain appeared to rise from under our
very feet into a wall Of solid rock ;
on the other side, we looked into the
depths of the great canon, which
would prove an eternal grave to
either of us should he lose 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 twenty yards
when both horses bent their ears for
ward, snorted, and showed evidences
of the greatest terror. Before |
could ascertain the cause of it, being
in the rear OF Lees horse and unable
to see beyond it, a shot was fired
that awoke ten thousand echoes.
What followed the sound of the
shot happened so quickly that | did
not realize danger until | found my
sell hanging between life and death.
Ny horse, unable to see what was in
the path ahead OF US, but whose in
stinct warned him of the presence OF
some dreaded wild beast, had stop
ped in terror, and, when the shot
was fired, suddenly threw up his
head and began backing. had pull.
ed the reins over his head when dis
mounted, and held them in my right
hand, to which fact | owed my es
cape from instant death, The rapid
backward movement of the horse
and the sudden tossing of his head
threw me off my balance, and before
could recover ! was falling over the
cliff.
Instinctively ! frightened my hole
on the reins and endeavored to GRASP
the edge of the cliff with my LETT
hand while was rolling over. die
succeed in checking the shock of my
tall somewhat, but could not secure
hold sufficient to sustain my
weight. For a moment hung sus
pended over the terrible abyss, my
whole weight resting upon my RICH
arm. Quick as fash | grasped TIL
reins with my left also, and there
hung, expecting death every instant
for | knew that my horse would no
stand long in the position he hell
then.
could see him standing above me
and the beauty of his pose and tn
rlgidity OF his position, as he stooC
braced against the weight dangling
1t the end of his bride rein, made al
impression upon my memory tina
will never be eradcated.
l asked myself how much longer
was possible to hang by so frail
support as a bit of leather. Th
grip OF my hands was so tight tina
my fnger-ends were tingling an
burning as though touched with
hot iron.
Suddenly another shot rang out
awakening myriad of echoes tina
seemed to mock me with shrill laugh
ter. Again that backward move
ment Of my horse. and as l felt tn
reins drag along the edge of the pre-
ipice, thought must surely let G
and fall. Strange thoughts began t
flash through my brain, mental pi'
lures OF loved ones long since dea
appeared to whisper prayers for m'
there was singing in my ears, and
realized that my strength was giN
ing out.
Just then heard my name Spoken
AT first l thought it was but tn
voice of one of the visions my excite
brain had conjured up. But ne
there it sounded again. 1t was Lee
voice, calm, collected, and inspiring
He was whispering words OF cal
ton.
Opening my eyes, saw his fac
above my-what white, scared fac
it was, l thought. Slowly, oh, $
slowly, his hand stole down tt
reins until it rested upon my wrist
then there was a quick grip OF pow