Year: 1865

One of the Oldest inhabitants of Northern
Maine thus relates race he once had with
a catamount


"a When first visited,this town, there were
only three families living in it. You, who
now live at your ease can never know the
hardships and perilous scenes through which
the early settlers passed. Come with me
and will show you the spot upon which the
first hut in the town was built"


l followed silently till the old man reached
the bottom of the west side of Paris HILL


'On this spot was built the first hut.
shall never forget the first time l visited it,
and the story was told"


"What was it?" asked.


I" / will tell you. When the first settler
arrived here, his nearest neighbor lived
twenty miles distant, in the present town of
Rumford, and the only road between the
neighbors was path he cut through the
woods himself, so that in case of sickness he
might get assistance. One spring, think it
was the third season after he had settled
here, he was obliged to go to Rumford for
provisions. He rose early and started for
his nearest neighbor. People of the present
day would think it hard to make journey
OF twenty miles for a bag of potatoes, and on
foot too, but such was the errand of the first
settler. He arrived before noon, was success
tul in getting his potatoes, got some refresh
ments and started for home. But it was not
easy to travel with load of potatoes; and
finally at sun down, he threw off his load and
resolved to make a shelter and spend the
night. have been taken to the exact local.
ity OF it it was just situated on the other
side of the stream on which are the mills in
the village of Pinhook, in Woodstock


Hn hull c1, oil L
out piece of meat to roast. All, young
man you know with what relish a man eats
his food IN the woods. But as was saving,
he commenced roasting bis meat, when he
was startled by cry so shrill that he knew
at once it could come from nothing else but
catamount, will now relate as near as l
can in the language of the old settler.


l listened for moment, and twas repeat.
ed even louded and seemed nearer than be
fore. Ny first thought was of my own
safety. But what was | to do? | was at
least ten miles from home and there was not
single human being nearer than that to
me. l next thought of self defence, but |
had nothing to defend myself with. In a
moment concluded to start for home, for /
knew the nature of the catamount too well
to think l could stand chances of escape if |
remained in camp. | knew, too, that he
would ransack my camp, and ! hoped the
meat had left behind me might satisfy his
appetite SO he would not follow me-


l had not proceeded more than half mile
before knew by the shrieks of the animal
that he was in sight of the camp. doubled
my speed, content that the beast should have
my supper. although declared that would
not run if had my trusty rifle with me-
But there could be no cowardice in running
from an infuriated catamount. doubly furious
probably, by being hungry, and with moth
ing that could be called a weapon save a
pocket knife. | had proceeded, probably
two-thirds of my way home, and hearing
nothing more of my infuriated enemy, began
to slacken my pace, and l thought I had
nothing to fear. | had left behind me about
two pounds of meat, beef and pork which |
hoped had satisfied the monster Just as |
had come to the conclusion that | would run
no more, and was looking back astonished
almost at the distance had travelled in so
short time, | was electrified with horror to
hear the animal shrek again.


knew that my fears were realized. The
beast had undoubtedly entered my camp,
ate, and followed after me- 1t was then
three miles to my log cabin, and it had
already become dark. | redoubled nv
speed but l thought must die. And such
death The recollection of that feeling
comes to my mind as wildly as though /
knew the animal was pursuing me. But
am no coward, though to be torn to pieces
and almost eaten alive by a wild beast was
horrible


| calmly unbuttoned my frock with the de
termination to throw it off before the beast
should approach me, hoping thereby to gain
1dv anfh
IN tearing it to pieces.


Another shrek and | tossed the garment
in the path behind me. Not more than five
minutes elapsed before heard sbrill cry
as If he came to it. How that shrek elec. |
trifed me ! bounded like deer But in
moment the animal made another cry.
which told me plainly that nv garment had
only exasperated him to fercer chase.


Oh God must / thus die? ] cannot I
must live for my wife and children and mn.
buttoning my waistcoat l dropped it in the
path as | proceeded. The thought of nv
wife and children urged me to nv utmost |
speed, for thought more of their nnnrotect. |
ed state than did of the death that threat. |
ened me-for should l die what would he-
come of them?


In moment all the events of NV life
crowded through my brain. The catamount
shrieked louder, and as fast as | was yun.
ming, ne rapidly approached me. Nearer
and nearer he came till fancied could
hear his bounds. At length came to the
brook which you see yonder, which was
double its present size, being swollen bv re-.
cent freshets, and | longed to cool nv fever.
ed brain in it; but knew that would he as
certain as to die by the claws of the monster
With three bounds gained the opposite
bank, and then l could see the light in nv
log cabin. which was not more than bun.
dred yards distant.


l mad proceeded but short distance when
l neara the eatamount plunge in behind me.
l leaped with more than human euercr c. |
it was life or death. In moment the cato. To-
mount gave another wild shrek. as tbonsh I
he was afraid he should lose his prev e.
that moment yelled at the top Of nv voice
t. my wife, and in a moment saw her an