Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-05-27
HANGING TOA BRIDLE
A THRILLING ADVENTURE IN THE BIO
 HORN MOUNTAINS.

A Hunter Held Over a BOttOmIeas Canyon by His Horse's Bride Rein-The Mys- tery of Two Rihs Shots Rxplainsd-HOw Lee Cleared the Path.
 During the fall of 1877, just after the expedition which had resulted in the running down and capturing of 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 campsd on Clear creek, Q oomrade named Lee and I started off for a days hunting among the high peaks of the Big Horn mounsains. 0x- pectinG to get few sheep Lee was man of extraordinary strength and was noted in the regiment for his feats of muscular ability.
 We ascended the mountain by deer trail, Lee riding in advance The trail led up "hogback" until it ran out against the side of the mountain, when wo had to pick our way over the side hill until We struck another trail wind- ing in a zigzag manner toward the sum- mit We dismounted and led our horses, for the trail ran dangerously close to the edge of a cliff that formed one side of an immense canyon, whose depth we could only guess. Narrower and mar rower grew the trail as we advanced until it seemed to terminate at point only a short distance ill 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 looked into the depths of the 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 the trail was due to a 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 evi- denceS of the greatest terror. Before I could ascertain the cause of 1t, being in rear of Lees horSe and unable to see beyond 1t, a 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 found myself hang ing between lifo and death. My horse, unablo to see what was ill the path ahead of us, but whose instinct warned him of the presence of some dreaded wild beast. had stopped i'll terror. and, when tho shot was fired. suddenly threw up his head and began backing. I had tl l., T I diSmounted and held them ill my right hand, to which fact I 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 I could recover 1 was falling over the cliff. Instinctively frightened my hold on the rCins 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 a hold sufficient to sus- tain my weight. For a moment 1 hung suspended over the terrible abyss, my whole weight resting upon Thy right arm. Quick as a flash I grasped the rvins with Ily left also, and there
 
 ! for l knew that my horse would not stand long i'll the position he then held could see him standing above me and the beauty of his pose and the rig idity of his position, as he stood braced | against the weight dangling at tho enc of his bridle rein, made an impression. l upon my memory that will never be | eradicated
 asked myself how much longer il was possible to hang by so frail a sup. 1 port as bit of leather. The grip of my hands was so tight that my finger end: were tingling and burning as though touched with hot iron.
 Suddenly another shot rang out, awakening a myriad of echoes that seemed to mock me with shrill laughter. Again that backward movement of my horse, and as felt the reins drag along the edge of the precipice I thought must surely let go and fall. Strange thoughts began to flash through m! brain, mental pictures of loved one! long since dead appeared to whisper prayers for mo, there was singing in my ears, and I realized that my strengtl was giving out.
 Just then l heard my name spoken At first I thought it was but the voic, of ono of tho visions my excited braiI nad conjurod up. But no; there it sound ed again. It was Lees voice, calm, col lected and inspiring. He was whisper ing words of caution.
 Opening my eyes, saw his face abov me-what a white, scared face it was I thought! Slowly, oh, so slowly. hi hand stole down the roins until it reste, upon my wrist. Then there was quicl grip of powerful fingers, an eXertion o wonderful strength, and was ill safety Lee told me afterward that was un conscious when he stretched mo out o the trail.
 The first shot had been fired at
 mountain lion shat orouched in the trai Q short distance ahead and had sant crashing into the depths of the canyon Hearing my cry of fear a Soppled owe the brink of the clin. he had shot hi ] horse to clear a path to get back t where was and had been in time t l rescue me-W. P. Coulter in San Fran | cisco ArgonAut.
 Tried to Brace UP. q Wife-You've been drtnkinRl An l l you told me you were going to praye | paaffDOt