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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 23, 1889)
WEST SHORE. m darkness became bo great that nearly every object was until nearly daylight. He lay in great pain ami thor swallowed up. oughly chilled until after sunrise. Remembering the After debating in his mind the advisability of halt- great strength and ferocity of bin antagonist, and fear ing for the night, the hunter decided to push on, hop- ing that it still lurked in the immediate vicinity, the ing to find the camp and relieve the anxiety of his wounded hunter remained motionless for several hours, companion. Warned by the abundance of " signs," When ho did arise, no trace of the cougar could I the two hunters had exercised, ever since going into discovered. Fearfully bitten, scratched and bruised, camp, great caution and vigilance for their protection he made his way back to camp by painfully slow and safety againBt the large carnivorous animals which marches, not reaching it until nearly noon. His corn infest those wild regions. It was of the sly, treacher- panion had passed a sleepless night, a prey to painful uuh and powerful cougar that the belated and bewil- apprehensions. Very early that morning two other dcred man now stood in great dread, and the sequel hunters who had ton stalking elk farther back in tho showed that his fears were far from groundless. With mountains had stopped at tho camp on their way down rille in hand, he advanced, holding himself in instant to the valley, and learning of the missing man, had readiness for defensive action. It was now so dark concluded to halt for the day and assist in the search. his way through Before tho wounded man arrived in camp, iwo 01 ui men nail aireauy wen oiu soiun umn that ho could only grope the tangled thicket. While descending a steep ridge, which ran up from adark, narrow canyon, without the slightest warning, he 3 I. h I IK ShkJ Mi a scouring the woods, but, failing to find him, had returned. Fortunately, one of tho elk hunt ers proved to be a young surgeon, who was out for a summer vacation. He immediately full to work and in short timo bad tho wounded man mite comfortable. Considering th nature and extent of tho injuries, it was divined best to remain in camp a few days. After giving an account of his thrilling experien during the night, tho invalid described the lo cality as minutely as possible, and the two elk hunters posted off In search of tho wounded buck and disabled cougar. Success crowned their effort. The deer was found in n dying condition near where the hunter had abandoned the trail the night before, and quickly dis patched. On searching for the cou- la -1 . v J!tJiMijbil tfjttttjt it til. - i m . irnr il wim ninit ii m wir i i r ' . . nih an. (1()wn Uw ravln( Uy tliHR. . I., 1,1ml The creature had received several thrusts front was suddenly attacked by an enormous ouga .,,, ,u vitals, but ,,hsc,hI this hand to hand conflict the rifle was useless. ' I Ping that cun ,rsomo .pon, drew .1 Jj , ,, knife and made desperate efforts to defend us. g u m The knife was long, two-edged and keen as a rawr. trashing uiroug.i For some time he fought with tho advantage greatly on the side of the fierce animal. While the strugg e or life was at it. height, approac ing to. ar h J - k.. Marvel turn brink of a steep declivity, man and brt .nt J Th of (hn M (U.ri,ng rolling down to the bottom o the ravine K rr M( o Bn Weakened by the Iom of b hkI an ' , ' puMio Bew inj ,,,. wonder, a long a olent contact with rock, and Wilder, ceiouanwa 'I I nul. foratimefors.H.khim. In that cond.t.on he remained the pres. nt low pru