Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-02-28

and not Q dozen feet distant, TIA a.ra
were pricked forward, and Il was
watching me with intense and saves.
curiosity The big eyes. with tilating
pupils. We're fixed on me In fascinated
stare.
Inere was no movement of the con-
gar,s body or head, save slight ouiv-
erlng about the muzzle. It's great paws
were outstretched, the great taIona hid
den In the soft fur which covered
them. The tail curved upward in a
curious twist, not unlike the hook OF
an interrogation point.
The whole attitude of the animal was
one of half-fierce, half-wondering
questioning. It was as if it saw in me
big and probably harmless reptile
perhaps huge kind of lizard or turtle.
l cannot recall that cowardice was
ever attributed to me, even in child
hood; but as I looked into the ewes
of that treacherous beast, was afraid
terribly afraid. I dared not get to
my feet, and thus invite immediate at
tack. for had possessed the speed Of
a greyhound, there was no way to run.
had no weapon, save small and
worse than useless pocket-knife.
Plainly my only recourse was to lie in
perfect quiet until the animal should
crafty its curiosity and haply, If not
hungry, take itself off,
| had not long to wait until there
was a sudden unsheathing of the vel
low claws, and the cougar leaped light
ly to It's feet. It came toward me fear
lessly, with slow, cats tread, holding
its head sidewise and flashing its tail.
Sick with a sense of helplessness,
could only lie inert, waiting to grapple,
barehanded, with the beast, as final
resort. My only movement was to
lower my face to the soil and clasp the
back of my neck with both hands to
prevent fatal bite at the outset.
The cougar snarled down at me in
warning fashion. Then it gave me
tive, stingless, half-playful stroke, in
tended, doubtless, to test my defensive
qualities. Finding me apparently of
despicable spirit, the brute coolly took
possession of my body.
1t shifted fastidiously at my woollen
shirt, then roughly rolled me over and
lay upon me, the points of its Shout
ders resting squarely on my chest.
managed, while the animals claws
were pricking my side and leg, to shift
my hands in readiness to defend my
throat.
There / lay upon my back, with that
great beast across me, it's heart thump-
ing against my ribs, it's red lips parted,
it's claws ripping at the hard soil as IT
to sharpen them for banquet!
In my despair regretted keenly that
l had not flung myself over the decliv:
ity and taken my chances in terrific
slide down it's steep, ragged slope. l
resolved to make the desperate leap if
an opportunity should offer in the
struggle which must come.
There could be no doubt of the final
intention of the beast. The cougar was
merely INDUCING itself in bit OF cat
play, and when this should end, would
treat me as cat does mouse.
The animal thrust it's head down
sidewise and snarled it's big eyes mar
rowed to cruel points, and its hot
breath played upon my face. Its tail
switched back and forth, flashing hrst
my boots and then my head, from
which the hat had fallen. In every
motion of the creature there was
hard, perfect efficiency, and under the
working of it's whipcord muscles felt
myself quite powerless. U
Nevertheless, an impulse was strong
upon me to clutch the beast by the
throat and try to hurl it over the ledge.
But reason saved me from such rash
attempt. The cougar was a large one
of the variety since famed as the noun
tain lion. Certainly it would instantly
tear me asunder if grappled with It.
The brute snarled and scratched with
increased vehemence. It's hind Claws
working against my left side, tore my
clothes and sliced me painfully.
Through this ordeal I lay In perfect
quiet. suppressing breath and appear
ance of animation.
Suddenly the cougar sprang to It's
feet and leaped lithely away. turned
my face, in a great hope that 1t Woulo
abandon me, but only to see it SINK
behind a spray of pencil-cedar rev
wards distant. There it lay, with moth
ing visible save the light play OF It's
tail. Despite it's great size, the amman
was still young enough to be eager Tor
NAV with too easily caught victim.
Was it possible the creature might
finally go away and leave me! NO,
amid the clustering cedar sprlgs
caught the CLEAN of its yelloW-sreen
eye-an eye fastened upon me in cum
ming waiting cruelty. Evidently
. was expected to move, and furnish
sport in the killing. Without oouD''
too. the cougar shrewdly suspected ne