The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-07-20

lnunlcatlO0 between INC IidluTal NUu tnc
SUI ernatural-the visible and the invisi-
bic worlds-inherent in human nature.
There are few persons whose lives do not
contain at least some few occurrences,
which are incapable of being satisfactorily
explained by any known laws-remarka-
bic presentiments, condolences, and
sometimes apparitiors ever, which seem
to be beyond tho reach of accident or
chance, and overcome us with special
wonder.
An undoubted instance of the kind
happened to me, while in California, in
November. 1853. Starting from Sacra-
mento, on horseback, for q journey to
the Mokelumne and the American Fork,
was detained three days ON a lonely
rancho near the Costume River, by
violent storm of rain. On the fourth mo-
ming tie clouds broke away. saddled,
swan the river, and took q faint trail
leading over the plains, intending to
make Hicks Rancho, "a miles distant,
among the foot hills Of the Sierra Nevada.
Very soon, however, | lost the trail, which
had been completely washed out by the
rain. Riding at hazard, toward the
mountain q sudden blind instinct-which
| never felt before, and cannot intelligent
ly describc-tol me to strike bee llno
in n certain direction, | therefore took
my bearings by the distant snowy peaks,
and rode slowly on-my mare sinking
to her knees at every step in the loose
saturated soil 1t was during this ride
ihat l came upon four grizzly bears, eat
ing acorns in little grove of oaks. Our
interview WAS like that of two English
mcnt in the desert; n momentary pause
"a long stare-and each hurries to get
out of sight of the others. To be car
did, did not desire an introduction.
Imale such slow progress, that night
camo on as | was entering the foothills.
I had kept my bee limo faithfully all the
day; aud when halted at dusk, in lit
tie wooden dell, blazed two trees, so that
might resume tho direction in the morn
ing. Giving my mare the length of her
lasso, that she might crop the shrubs-as
there was NO grass to be ha,l-I built up
large bonfire of dead limbs; and SIT
down beside it on fallen tree. There
was no moon; but the stars triAklod clear
" through the bare branches overhead.
had depended on reaching the rancho,
and was therefore without PROVISIONS
My supper consisted Of a segar and some
rain water which l had gathered in a
hollow. What comfort u ere is in fire !!
might give thrilling picture of my
seusatiops-lost, alone, and furnishing
which my pecunious reader would shud-
der at, behind his lobster salad. But it
would not be true. felt MS cozy and
comfortable as if before my wide fireplace
in the oaken chamber mot built yet, )and
the starry silence of tho night filled my
heart with a soothing sense of happiness
and peace.
Taking the saddle for pillow, l wrap
ped myself in my blanket, and lay down
with my back to the field and my feet
to the fire. But my SAUNDERS were short
and fitful. The ncighborhood was fam
GUS for bears; and | was apprehensive
that nv mare would take fright, get
loose, and forsake me. So [ lay awake
half an hour at time, watching the cul-
mination of the stars on the meridian
line of slender twig over my head. Ii
was perhaps an hour after midnight, when
as | thus lay with my open eyes gazing
into the internal beauty OF night, | be.
come conscious of deep, murmuriuG
sound like that of rising wind. l looked
at the trees; every branch was unmoyed
vet the sound was increased, until th'
air of the lonely dell seemed to vibrat'
with its burden. A stranger feeling o
awe and expectancy took possession o
me. Not dead leaf stirred on th'
boughs; while tho mighty sound
choral hymn, sung by ten Thousand
yoices-swept down over the hills, ant
rolled away like retreatmg thunder owe
the plain. 1t was no longer the roar Q
the wind, AS in the wandering prelud'
of an organ melody, note trod upon not
with slow majestic footstcp, until they
gathered TO theme, aud then como tn
words. simultaneously chanted by an IN