The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1895-03-06
HANGING TOA Birdie
A THRILLING ADVENTURE IN THE BIG
HORN MOUNTAINS.

Hunter Held Over q BottomIess Canyon
by His Horses Bride Rein-The Mys-
terry of Two Rifle Shots ExpIaIned-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 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 camped on Clear creek, a
comrade named Lee and started off
for a days hunting among the high
peaks of the Big Horn mountains, ex-
peeting to get few sheep. Lee was a
man of extraordinary strength and was
noted in the regiment for his feats of
muscular ability.
We assembled the mountain by deer
trail, Lee riding in advance. The trail
led up a "hogback" until 1t 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 zigzag manner toward the sum-
NIT. We dismounted and led our horses,
for the trail ran dangerously close to the
edge of cliff that formed one side of
an immense canyon, whose depth We
could only guess. Narrower and mar
rover grew the trail as we advanced
until 1t seemed to terminate at point
only 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 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 1t.
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 Ell
denoes of the greatest terror. Before
could ascertain the cause of 1t, being In
rear Of Lees horse and unable to see
beyond 1t, shot was fired that awoke
ten thousand echoes.
What followed the sound of the shot
happened so quickly that did not re-
alize danger until found myself hang
ing 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. had
| pulled the reins over his head when
dismounted and held them In 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 Ine on
my balance, and before could recover
l was falling over the cliff.
Instinctively frightened my hold on
the reins and endeavored to grasp the
edge of the cliff with my left hand as
was rolling over. did succeed in check
ing the shock Of my fall somewhat, but
could not secure hold sufficient to sus-
tain my weight For moment hung
suspended over the terrible abyss, my
whole weight resting upon my right
arm. Quick as flash / grasped the
reins with my left Also and there /
hung, expecting death every instant,
for / knew that my horse would not
stand long in 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 end
of his bride rein, made an impression
upon my memory that will never be
eradicated.
asked myself how much longer 1t
was possible to hang by so frail sup
port as a 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 q myriad of echoes that
seemed to mock me with shrill laughter.
Again that backward movement Of my
horse, and as l felt the reins drag along
the edge of tho precipioe thought !
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 l realized that my strength
was giving out.
Just then l heard my name spoken.
At first thought it was but the voice
Of one Of the visions my excited brain
had conjured up. But no; there it sound
cd again. 1t was Lees voice, calm, col
lected and inspiring He was whisper
ing words Of caution.
Opening my eyes, saw his face above
me-what white, scared face 1t 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. an exertion of
wonderful strength, and was in safety.
Lee told me afterward that was I'M
conscious when he stretched me out on
the trail.
The first shot had been fired at
mountain lion that crouched i'll the trail
a short distance ahead and had sent it
crashing into tho depths of the canyon.
Hearing my cry of fear as Itoppled over
tho brink of the cliff, he had shot his
horse to clear path to get back to
where was and had been in time to
rescue me- w. P. Coulter in San Fran
cisco Argonaut.