The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-10-08

looked threatening. and party Of anxious.
looking individuals, new arrivals in the camp,
earnestly inquired If the ground under few
freight wagons in the canyon was engaged for
sleeping purposes, stating that if not, they
would like to engage the location and would
pay for the privilege of using it. Black strap
tobacco and benYine whisky are the only ar
tcles for sale here; sheet of paper is not Oh
tainable ut any price, and the camp is as
destitute of all articles considered iDdispensa-
ble in civilized communities as when Big
Foot, the great warrior, stood on its loftiest
peak, proud Monarch Of all he surveyed" "
There is neither mail nor express communica-
tion with any point this side OF Lucifer's do
minions, and the latest reliable news from the
seat of war is the unchristian manner in
which the Prussians entered Nancy. Such
priyations, however. are common TO all new
mining camps. and he who fears to encounter
them must sheer of. There are bold spirits
enough 10 brave such hardships and, In fact
who enjoy such life, the merry laugh, live
ly song, and witty jokes heard at the camp
fires plainly indicates. A wee. hence the bat
tering of many stamps will resound through
the canyons. and the scream of steam whis-
ties will awaken hundred echoes among the
hills. We will then have all the conveniences
and many of the luxuries Of life, and let US hope
that we Will feel as happy aud contented then
as we are now around our camp fires.
FIREs-yASDALisA.
Nearly all the northern slopes in this vicin-
ity are covered with fir and pine, and "a dense
underground of aspen. or cottonwood Us it is
commonly called. The advantages of such
timber for fuel and mining purposes to
camp that gives such promise of permanency,
as does this, cannot he oyerestimated But
there are fends in human shape, whose or
RanS OF ueStTlctlSenpSS uell Aey.l-
oped for any community outside the walls Of
a-well regulated penitentiary, who see in this
timber but one element to gatify their selfish
propensities, and that is material for a general
contiagration, at this season of the year, when
all kinds Of vegetation, deadened by frost and
dried 10y "A cloudless sun, is dry as tinder
Some of those vaudals set out fire few
days ago, since when II number of men have
been vaInly endeaNOring to subdue il. While
writlng, the hatnes swept up the ridge in the
rear of our camp with tho speed Of a race
horse, the fiery monster feeding on the dry
grass and brushwOod, and licking up every
vestige of vegetation IN its path Armed with
shovels, and ore sacks saturated with water
We endeavOr to divert its course 10y firing the
grass outside the clump of trees in which we
are camped. Our party is determined; and
with hair and beard singCd by the cracking
flames, fight for life, grub and blankets
timely breeze from the right direction renders
AhhN'iIhi hhHINbaitt, hilu u hlIIp ~ OF IcGt
in width Is clear around our camp, and for the
time we are comparatively secure. II reaches
the timber i'll the gulch. n hundred yards be-
Iow us, and in a moment "A grove of graceful
frs are in its deadly embrace and with almost
lightning THpIdity II climbs 70 or 100 feet high
10 the tops, the Tesnous branches swapping
like million fire crackers. In IA few mo-
ments the timber down the rayne distance
Of two OF three hundred yards, is cnvclnpcd
III flames, the dry wood Swapping and crnck-
ing like the rattle of muskrtTy. The dense
masses Of smoke. which even where we stand
is almost sutiucnt.ng, and lurid Tongues of
flames reaching high up in the air. makes the
abyss below MS indcscrbaby terrific The
scene resembles a hell Of the most orthodox
style. Later, the fire has leaped the burnt
belt surrounding our camp, and we are com
PEELED TO take refuge in IA tunnel across the
gulch, where we hang up for the night The
destruction of timber by this terrible fire.
which, ! understand, was maliCiously started
is an irrcparablc loss Ia some mine owners in
this vicinity, and the damage to the district at
large il vHriously estimated at from $50. 900
to 100000. Should not our Legislators en-
dcavor to prevent recurrence of these scenes,
by intorposing the strong arm of the law be-
tween our timbcrcd belts, which are scarce
enough Rt best. and the vRndals who would
wantonly destroy them, 10y imposing severe
penalties ON the offenders? Indians are in the
habit Of starting fires in the mountains to
drive game into the open country, but the un.
tutorcd mind Of poor Lo cnn I've easily made
to comprehend the necessity of changing his
tactics In this particular. CHLoErpE.