The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-12
OVER THE VERGE.

expedition which 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 Rattlssnake range to the
Platte river and from there to the Yellow
stone by way of ths Goose creek trail.
When we went into camp on Clear
creek, a comrads, named Les, and start
ed OF for 8, days hunting among the high
peaks of the Big Horn mountains, expect
ing to get few shesp Lee was 8 man Of
extraordinary strength and was noted in
the regiment for his feats of muscular
ability.
We assembled the mountain by a deer
trail, Lee riding in advance. The trail led
up "hogback'' until it ran out against
the side of the mountain, when we had
to pick our way over the side hill until we
struck another trail winding in a zigZag
manner toward the summit. We dis
mounted and led our horses, for the trail
ran dangerously close to the edge of a cliff
that formed one side of an immense can
yon, 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 a wall of
solid rock On the other side we looked
into the depths of the great canyon, 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 a curve at that point, to round
which required steady nerves. We passed
it safely, but had not gone 90 yards when
both horses bent their ears forward, snorted
and showed evidence of the greatest terror.
Before I could ascertain the cause of it, be-
ing in rear of Lees horse and unable to see
beyond it, a shot was fred that awoke 10,-
600 echoes.
What followed the sound of the shot hap
pened SO quickly that did not realize dan
ger until I found myself hanging between
life and death. Ny 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, sud
denly threw up his head and began back
ing. I had pulled the reins over his head
when I dismountsd and held them in my
right hand, to which fact owed my es-
cape from instant death. The rapid back
ward movement of the horse and the sud
den tossing of his head threw me off my
balance, and before could recover I was
falling over the cliff.
Instinctively L frightened my hold on the
rsins and endeavored to grasp the edge of
the cliff with my left hand as was rolling
over l did succeed in checking the shock
of my fall somewhat, but could not secure
a hold sufficient to sustain my weight.
For a moment hung suspended over the
terrible abyss, my whole weight resting
upon my right arm. Quick as a fash I
grasped the reins with my left also, and
there I hung, expecting death every in
slant, for [ knew that my horse would not
stand long in the position he then held.
1 could see him standing above me- and
the beauty of his pose and the rigidity of
his position, as he stood braced against the
weight dangling at the end of his bride
rein, made an impression upon my MEM
DRY that will never be eradicated.
asked myself how much longer it was
possible to hang on by SO frail a support
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, awak-
ening a myriad of echoes that seemed to
mock me with shrill laughter. Again that
backward movement Of my horse, and as
I felt the rsins drag along the edge of the
precipice I thought 1 must surely let go
and fall Strange thoughts began to fash
through my BRAIN mental pictures Of
loved ones long since dead appeared to
whisper prayers for me; there was sing
ing sound in my ears, and 1 realized that
my strength was fast giving out.
Just then heard my name spoken. AT
first thought it was but the voice of one
of the visions my excited brain had con-
| jured up. But, no; there it sounded again.
It was Lees voice, calm, collected and
inspiring. He was whispering words OF
caution.
! Opening my eyes, I saw his face above
me. What a white, scared face it was,
thought. Slowly, OH SO slowly, his hand
stole down the reins until it rested upon
my wrist. Then there was a quick grip
of powerful fingers, an exertion of wonder
full strength, and-I was in safety. Lee
told me afterward that I was unconscious
| when he stretched me out the trail.
The first shot had been fired at noun
tain lion that crouched in the trail short
distance ahead and had sent it crashing
into the depths of the canyon. Hearing
my cry of fear as I toppled over the brink
of the cliff, he had shot his horse to clea1
a path to get back to where I was and hac
been in time to rescue ne.-W. P. Coulter
in True Flag.
Death of Paul Jones.