The times., 1901-05-26
THE MOUNTAIN LION.
Reminiscence of an Episode in the
Sierra Madres.
lFrom Forest and stream.

(FrOm Forest and Sueamt
had a tamish episode with a mountain
lion in the Sierra MadreS four years ago.
We had gone part of the way up wilson
trail and were camping for a couple OF
weeks There was a small tWo-rooHleu
frame house with a gallery alohS the
front. and at one end / put up my tent,
in which two Of US slept. while my ddugn-
ter and fttle fve-year-old boy had G0ts
in the living room of the mouse. IN me
weather was very warm, and as the WIN
dows were covered (eXcept one) with
heavy iron netting. she only closed the
doors at night, while we slept with the
had been told that a pair of lions had
recently been seen near there, but Jhat
didn't trouble any of US one day my
daughter went down TO the village 70 pe
gone until the following afternoon, leaV-
ing the little fellow to sleep IN the mouse
alone Somehow that unguarded WINDOW
was left open and l was awakened by
crash of falling tinware in the kitcheIi
| dashed into the house and all l could
find was some tin plates and cups on the
floor. / had no light except some match-
IS, so couldn't see very wei. but Iedilhs
the youngSter might be frightened II ne
found himself alone, / gathered MN up
and carried him into the tent where
soon fell asleep.
bang In the kitchen and made rush,
catching up my hunting knife, and that
time / heard soft thump as an animal
of some kind jumped out OF the WINDOW.
tent | discovered, as before, tin things
all over the floor, and the leg OF mutton
gone from the kitchen, that had Just been
sent up. ! at once surmiSed that hon
had been there, but in making his exit
the first time he must almost have jump
ed over the baby. Fortunately, he prefer
red dead mutton to live k41. or thtre
would have been serious trouble In the
camD-
The next day when my daughter came
back ! told her of my visitor ana she eN-
G TO llEa
shack by herself but as ] closed up the
open window and told her the beast could
get in no other way, she was at length
satisfied. Besides, l didn't believe II
| was Il lion, anyhow.
Wei, that night was dark as pitch, but
I laid my rifle handy and would have stay
ed awake had it been possible to see;
| About midnight heard a scream and
rushed out, but a frightened girl was al!
| / found She said that she had been un
! able to sleep, and lay on her cot Tor
| hours.
! An at once she heard the floor of the
| gallery crea'I. and some heavy. soft-foot-
! ed animal walking up and down, occa
ing | was awake and would hear II, but
when II presently reared up and. putting
| its paws on the wire netting looked into
! the room her nerves gave way and she
] screamed She had good look at 1t. as
| its head was against the sky. and 1t was
! undoubtedly moupt4in lion aIterward
| made pointer dog stdnd up on ms hlhd
| legs under the window but a person in
side could not see her head over the win
| dow sill.
The next night / was resolved to get a
| shot. There was no moon, so we all
| moved into the hbuse and before turn
ing in l fried bit of bacon and carried
the pan outside the house In order that
| the smell might float around the gallery
| up to the window and hung what was lett
| of the meat inside the netting; then
| made a bed for myself on the floor. so !
| could see tn, head of any animal against
| the sky Well, / did this for three nights,
| and thought II a god scheme, but-the cat
didn't come back. and l lost the best part
| OF a good story.