Show STORY OF ADVENTURE I A CLOSE CALL i Thanksgiving day found Sam Beresford I j and myself on the summit of the range I overlooking the Bear Lake valley It was our first attempt at deer hunting We had left Meadville in the morning our destination being Curtis ranch fifteen miles down the Blacksmith Fork canyon The only game we had so far bagged consisted i con-sisted of some dozen pine hens secured I from a covey flushed near the top of the ridge A solitary deer passed us in good i range but in our excitement we fired I wild I saw one bullet strike twentyfive ij i yards to the left of where I was supposed f I to be aiming As we started down the trail I glanced at the time Five oclock and darkness already approaching It would be moonlight moon-light however and wed been told we could not miss our way Some distance down Sam stopped and slipped from the saddle took hold of the bridle and walked carefully ahead calling to me to mind myself the roadway was very rough Rough I ejaculated as my horse stumbled over a big rock Welll should remark This is evidently what that young fellow spoke of as the Danish Dugway We managed to get through and remounting re-mounting continued our journey down the canyon I was awfully tired inside of another hour and caught myself dozing several times Funny we dont come to that ranch I finally remarked riding up alongside of Sam No reply I glanced in his direction direc-tion He was certainly sound asleep I stopped both horses and getting down from the saddle took out my flask for u good long pull The solitude struck me forcibly with Sam asleep I replaced the flask and walked over to his side lie looked so comical with his head fallen forward to one side that I burst out laughing but the laugh froze on my lips as I heard some distance to our right a most diabolical half scream half roar It was answered by another if anything more hellish than the first My heartbeat heart-beat wildly Sam woke with a start and almost fell from his saddle Grab the guns I yelled as I caught hold of both horses and endeavored to quiet them Sam recovered himself in time to detach our four guns as one of the horses broke loose from my grasp and galloped off down the canyon I let go the other It was no use trying to hold him They were both frantic with fear Once more that hideous scream broke the stillness Mountain lions said Sam in a hoarse whisper I could see his face blanch in the moonlight Why Sam I managed to chatter as we took up our rifles and tremblingly pushed shells into the magazines 1 had no idea there were any lions so close to civilization Nor 1 he replied Give me some whisky Jack Ive got to recover my nerve 1 handed him the flask and he eirpied i it at one draught We stood irresolute Suddenly I saw the gleam of a light It seemed to come from the very road we I had traveled I called Sams attention to I i it adding Im going for that light It must be i 1 a house Im not out hunting lions and Im not anxious to have them hunt me I i i And picking up my shotgun off I started I I Sam following I Careful old man be said wre I liable to get ourselves into trouble any I moment We walked back cautiously over the trail keeping the light in view Dowquick whispered Sam and I we i bith dropped I looked ahead and saw two enormous beasts glide across the road My heart commenced thumping again WP crept slowly on our rifles held ready for instant use i i We were now nearly abreast of the light and saw that it came from a house on the i other side the creek just below where the lions had crossed It must be the ranch I I and wed passed it while half asleep We i j F i paused at a little bridge crossing the 1 stream The house was now in full view t not ten rods distant I I Again that horrible scream It seemed but a few yards away Sam half raised himself Look he whispered excit there they areto the left edly are near i I the barn I I I looked in the direction indicated There they were Magnificent specimens speci-mens Never before had I looked upon one in his native state With all my nervousness 1 was fascinated I What should we do Rouse the people or hazard a shot We were discussing these questions when the door suddenly I opened and a figure appeared on the threshold It was o woman What could it mean The lions saw her and j one crouched for a spring She raised a i i rifle and taking steady aim fired i Bravo cried Sam excitedly as one I I of the beasts was stretched on the ground I his huge feet clawing wildly at the air I 1 his snarls and growls tearful to hear We jumped to our feet and ran forward The woman turned quickly 10 reenter i the house as the remaining brute hurled himself toward her with a terrible menacing men-acing cry We fired as he sprang I Oh Sam I cried she has slipped i she has fallen God have mercy hes almost 1 al-most on her i Another volley from our repeaters and we had his entire attention He stopped and glared at us We were only twenty I 1 feet distant with Sam somewhat ahead I who dropped on one knee and fired again The lion gathered himself for a spring I I Our aim must be perfectly dreadful I 1 gave him another shot as he launched himself full at Sam who went down i underneath his weight No more nervousness now My blood was upI > up-I grasped a long ugly knife Id borrowed I never expecting to need it Id never i i used one before in my life but that thought never struck me Sams life 1 was at stake I threw myself on the beast and instinctively grabbed for his I throat I jabbed him again and again 1 with all my strength dodging his feeble i blows Our bullets were taking effect He made a last gasping effort to fasten his i I I teeth in my arm and collapsed rolling down to the edge of the creek I I had received but a few trifling wounds though my clothes were torn and I was J covered with blood Sam was insensible and the blood flowed from a gash in his neck The woman was unhurt and I coming hurriedly forward we carried I him into the house Laying him on the bed we almost tore his clothes off There 1 was only the one wound visible I breathed easier as we bandaged this and started the work of restoration Sam dear Sam I said as he showed signs of returning consciousness He turned his head slightly Dear old pard I continued tell me you aint I much hurt He opened his eyes and I I gave him some brandy Raising himself Ion I-on one arm he put his hand up to his I wounded neck I think hes only weak from loss of blood quietly remarked the woman He called me to him I leaned over his bedside Did you kill him heasked finally As dead as a door nail I replied smiling in spite of my anxiety as his true sportsmans nature asserted itself first of all But you helped I added He groped for my hand and pressed it feebly I gave him another swallow of brandy and told him ty go to sleep Mrs Curtis for it was the ranch explained that her husband and son had not yet returned from a trip after wood She was alone with their other child a little girl of four whom she brought in I picked j her up and hugged her closely to 1119 Dear little one I thought what if i father and brother had returned ana found but bloodstains to tell the terrible taleWe We were still talking when we heard voices The woman ran to the door They were home The ranchman was pale as death They had heard both the lions and the shooting when far up the moun tain Imagine his feelings He caught up wife and child looked at Sam stretched on the bed with his bandaged neck then at me covered with blood and without saying a word came over grasped my hand and rung it till I winced Next morning Curtis volunteered to take us where the deer were plenty I looked at Samwe both had the same thought Tell you what Mr Curtis he said screwing his wounded neck around so hr could look squarely at him Ive had about all the fun I want this trip I think Ill rest on my honors If you havnt any bigger game than mountain lions up here I guess Ill light out for home Amen said I and home we went taking along one of the skins asa as-a trophy of our nights adventure PORTHUS |