Weekly Trinity journal., 1872-03-09
A DARING FEAT.

county, for the purpose OF inspecting a
quartz mine which had been recently
opened, and proved to be very rich. He
made a careful examination of the ledge,
and was greatly impressed with its extent
and richness. One Of the owners, who
was showing o. around, told him that in
a day or two he was going to locate an
extension ON the Atlas (the original mne)
and that his name should be put down as
one of the locators if he desired. o. ex-
pressed his thanks for the offer, and said
he would be pleased to accept it. Next
day he started on his return to this city,
bringing with him several samples Of ore
from the Atlas mine. An assay proved
these 10 be tar richer than he had at first
supposed, and he began to get anxious
about the extension. He thought Of the
old saying, "Out Of sight, out of mind" !"
and became fearful that his friend at Chi
nese Camp might forget the promise to
include him among the locators of the ex-
tension-or perhaps might altogether neg
lect to make the location. His sleep was
troubled, and his appetite failed in conse-
quence Of these apprehensions, and at last
he resolved on active measures to insure
against accident or neglect. He con
suited with two or three friends, and they
advised sending a man imediately to the
scene of action, with instructions to make
the location at once.
l.. p. Ward, the well-known gymnas-
tic Typographical Olympian acrobat, was
the man selected to carry out the design.
A bargain was made with Ward, by
which he was to be included among the
locators, his expenses paid, and other in
ducements offer ed too numerous TO men
ton. He accepted the terms, and started
at once for Chinese Camp, where he met
an old friend, Steve G-s, who at once
took him in charge. Ward was intro
duced to the Chinese Campers as a cap
itaiist from the Bay" and of course at
tracted considerable attention from all
who had " big things on hand which
they couldn't develop properly "just for
the want of a little ready cash" Ward
and his friend chatted together that night
In the bar-room Of the principal hotel,
and of course they talked ofthe rich mine
and the prospective value Of the proposed
extension-(W having secretly con-
fded to Steve the object of his vsit.)
THAR |
an old miner who sat near by and who
sudden y arose and left the saloon. 1t
appears that a number Of miners there
abouts had been for some time discussing
the subject Of locating an extension on
the Atlas, but with characteristic care
lessness had been putting it off from day
to day. The old chap who overheard
the talk in the saloon was one OF these,
and he FASTENED at once to his associates
with the following startling announce
ment
THAT ere rocks bin assayed in iris
co, and it's turned out big and that ere
little chap with the ALFRED long arms
that Steve G-s has bin town' around
to-night-who dye s'pose he is a? Why,
he's bin sent up here to locate the north
ern extension that us fellers has bin
talllin' about for a month ; and we've got
to get across the creek bright and early
tomorrow and head him OFT, or We'll be
left out in the cold" The mine is stu
ated some miles from Chinese Camp, and
between the two points runs stream
known as Curtis Creek. In ordinary sea-
sons this creek is easily forded, but about
the time OF which we write it had swollen
TO unusual dimensons--in fact, it had be-
come a roaring torrent as broad as Mar
ket street. Ward started early in the
morning for point where he had been
informed a bridge crossed the stream.
On arriving there he found a party of
miners standing on the bank-the same
party which had resolved on "headng
him Off"
The bridge had been washed away dur
ing the night, and the locating party had
come to a dead lock, being unable to eff
feet crossing. During the preceding
night the stream had raised higher than
ever, and the mad waters dashing wildly
by seemed to laugh defantly in their
faces and dare them to attempt the peril.
Gus passage. Across the stream was
stretched wire rope, about one inch in
diameter, which had been formerly used
to support the iron pipes for conveying
water to a mine worked on the hydraulic
principle. The pipes had been removed,
but the wire rope remained. AS Ward
came up to the party one of them inquired
In seml-sarcastic tone if he was " agoin'
to make that there location this morn
ing 2" whereupon the others laughed
ironically. Ward took in the situation
at glance, and coolly remarked that he
was "agoin' to make that there location"
Those innocent countrymen had never
seen Ward :" do the zampi," as he famil-
iarly terms the terrific feat known as zam-
plllaerostation, SO they never dreampt of
what he contemplated
Well, | reckon you won't do it to-
day, from the looks of this creek" said
one.
Wait few days, mister" said an
other, " and We'll build bridge for YOU"
During these remarks Ward had been
carefully examining the fastenings of the
wire cable. Finding it all secure, he
turned to the astonished miners and re-
marked
This is as good bridge as want"
and, grasping the cable with both hands,
he swung down the bank and proceeded
to cross the " stormy water" in a regu-
lar hand-over- fashion. The min