The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-04-02
HANGING TO A Birdie
A THRILLING ADVENTURE IN THE BIG
HORN MOUNTAINS.
A Hunter Held Over Bottomless Canyon
by His Horses Bride Rein-The Mys-
terry of Two Rifle Shots Expiained-How
Lee Cleared the Path.

by Ills Horses brtuie Ittih-ihe Niys-
terry of Two Rifle Shots Experimentation
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 camped on Clear creek,
comrade named Lee and started of
for days hunting among the high
peaks of the Big Horn mountains, ex-
pecting to get few sheep. Lee was
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 "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 zigzag manner toward the sum-
nit 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 wo
could only guess Narrower and mar
rover grew the trail as we advanced
until it 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 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 evi.
dences of the greatest terror. Before
could ascertain the cause of it, being in
rear of Lees horse and unable to SEQ
, beyond it, q shot was fired that awoke
ten thousand echoes.
What followed the sound OF the Shot
happened so quickly that / did not re-
l 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
t up his head and began backing. hat
r pulled the reins over his head when
It dismounted and held them in my RICH
! IS hand, to which fact / owed my escap
: from instant death. The rapid back
n ward movement of the horse and tn
{. sudden tossing Of his head threw me OF
D. my balance, and before / could recove
5 | was falling over the cliff.
le Instinctively | frightened my hold o
y the reins and endeavored to grasp tn
~ edge of the cliff with my left hand as
= was rolling over did succeed in checl
- ing the shock of my fall somewhat, br
d could not secure a hold sufficient TO su'
tain my weight For moment hun
II suspended over the terrible abyss, m
y whole weight resting upon my rlgf
ce arm. Quick as a flash l grasped TT
X reins with my left also, and there
=, ! hung, expecting death every instan
re for | knew that my horse would III
ny stand long in the position he then hell
lie. could see him standing above M
up and the beauty of his pose and the RI
ng idity of his position, as he stood brace
ed against the weight dangling at the ei
Ill | a IL. al, ,,,a1o n SSH
~ upon my memory that will never
m eradicated.
er, asked myself how much longer
was possible to hang by so frail SD
mort as a bit of leather. The grip OF 4
hands was SO tight that my finger en-
re- were tingling and burning as thou
Of touched with hot iron.
nm Suddenly another shot rang OF
ted awakening a myriad of echoes til
OK seemed to mock me with shrill laught'
'I ,n Again that backward movement OF |
rbe horse. and as / felt the reins drag alo
ay the edge of the precipice l Thought
ais must surely let go and fall. Stran
wn thoughts began to flash through
the brain, mental pictures of loved oil
ny long since dead appeared to whisl
cny PRAYERS for me, there was singing III
V 81, ears, and l realized that my strene
lon. was giving out.
div Just then ! heard my name SPOKE
At first l thought it was but the vo
Itch of one of the visions my excited pr'
be had conjured up But no; there 1t soul
pro ed again. 1t was Lees voice, calm, c
ing lected and inspiring He was whisp
; az - ing words of caution.
,b,v Opening my eyes, saw his face ap'
ives me-what white, scared face 1t W
SEES, thought! Slowly, oh, so slowly
ern. hand stole down the reins until tires
upon my wrist. Then there was Gu
grip of powerful fingers, an exertior
wonderful strength, and was in safe
say Lee told me afterward that l was
tier conscious when he stretched me out
49,, 49, the trail.
"uw The first shot had been fired a
40. mountain lion that crouched III the q
onal a short distance ahead and had sen
way crashing into tho depths of the cany
IL -.