Bride's Flight from Virginia City, Montana Read Free

didn’t think all the tracks would have disappeared with the thaw. Her brother had taught her how to read signs, and she was curious to see what she would come up with when she examined the pugmarks—mountain lion, panther, something that wasn’t even remotely like a cat?
    The crying of a calf jolted her out of her thoughts. She put her horse into a trot and saw the calf standing by a large rock, its young eyes wide in terror, bawling for help. Without even thinking about it, Charlotte slid the Winchester from its scabbard and walked the horse closer. Now she saw the body of a cow just beyond where the calf was tottering on its thin legs. Instinctively she knew it was the calf’s mother. Then a head lifted from the far side of the carcass. A mountain lion.
    Charlotte barely had time to take it all in before the big cat growled deep in its chest and sprang, bounding over the dead body and making for the horse. Daybreak reared just as Charlotte fired, and the shot went wild. The mare kicked out at the lion with her front hooves. The cat darted around to the horse’s back, and Daybreak whirled and struck with her hind legs, missing the mountain lion but throwing Charlotte to the ground. Just missing a pile of rocks, she rolled and took dirt and grass into her mouth. The palomino ran off, squealing loudly, and the lion turned to Charlotte, its eyes spitting fury. She had trouble bringing the Winchester to bear, the barrel sticking into the soft soil. The cat was going to pounce.
    Jesus, help me. Help me.
    The lion was on top of her, roaring and trying to bite through her neck and head. She yanked the barrel clear and shoved it into the cat’s snarling mouth. Her finger was outside the trigger guard, and she wasn’t able to fire. The cat thrust claws at her face, and Charlotte twisted her head and shoulders. This movement jerked her finger onto the trigger. She squeezed. The blast made her ears sting. She was able to work the lever and fire again. Then the weight and hot breath of the lion were on her face, and she almost passed out.
    The lion was not biting or moving. Charlotte tried to push herself out from underneath, but it took some time. Finally she was free and sat back, trying to get a lungful of air and staring at the animal, her carbine still in her hands. As frightened as she was, she could not help but marvel at the mountain lion’s strong body and long tail, at its wild and powerful beauty. She bent her head and leaned it against the warm Winchester barrel.
    I wish it had never hunted my cattle. I wish it had never strayed onto our range. But thank You, God, that I’m alive. Thank You.
    Finally she climbed to her feet and glanced around for Daybreak. The mare was about a hundred feet away, her head turned toward her mistress and the cat. Charlotte slowly walked to her, speaking softly.
    “It’s all right, girl. The lion won’t bother you anymore. Don’t run. You’re safe. Yes, it’s me.”
    The mare didn’t move, but rubbed its nose on Charlotte’s arm and snuffled against the sleeve of her thick winter jacket. Charlotte put her head against the mare’s and closed her eyes. “We’re both alive. We made it. Rest easy, girl. Thank God, we’re both okay.”
    The crying of the calf made her look up.
    “That’s enough excitement for today,” she said to Daybreak. “Let’s get the calf back to the ranch and get it some milk. Keep it alive. It’s all about life, girl, all about keeping things alive.”
    Not wanting to take the mare close to the cat’s body, she tied the horse’s reins to a nearby aspen and then walked over to get the calf. It was happy to be picked up and comforted, burying its little head in Charlotte’s chest. Then she came back to Daybreak, took the reins in her hand while holding the calf tightly with the other, and after a couple of tries, got up into the saddle. The calf cried out at this but once the horse started moving, the rocking motion seemed to comfort it. Charlotte