The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-09-20
is not a Characteristic of a miner.

come oetofe. n large ihass oi rock
rested upon a little point, and looked
as it ii was going to fall Immediately.
called Maxwell's attention TO 1t, and
suggested that we had better not at
tempt TO pass; but he declared that
we must find the ledge little further |
on, aud it would be cowatdice to turn |
back now. "
Go ahead, then, and | will follow,
even into the jaws OF death" was my
answer.
Charley crawled along the edge of
the rock, which swayed forward rs it |
about to bound from its position, but
after few moments caution he sue
ceeded in getting past the difficult
point, and turning TO me he cried:
"See how easy it's done. 1t only
requires courage"
l followed him, but found it was
with the greatest difficulty that could
keep from falling. had accomplish
ed all hnt about two steps when Max
well yelled
Jump, Tim, jump, or you will be
crushed. The rock is ialling!'
made q spring forward, and fell
to the bottom of the chasm, cutting
my hands and hurting myself quite
badly. A moment after | fell the
rock struck with tremendous noise
a few feet from where lay, complete
| ly filling the canon from the bottom
To u height OF fifteen or twenty feet.
"A narrow escape, my boy" said
Maxo ell
We remained few moments. rest
ing and recovering from the nervous
shock we had sustained, when we re.
sumed our march. \ hundred yards
further brought us 10 the end of the
canon. II terminated abruptly, where
the water leaped over the rough and
craggy rocks, forming most beauti.
iul waterfall.
We were so absorbed in the beau
ties of the cataract that we did not,
for some, lime, observe that the walls
were so abrupt that it was impossible
To climb them. We accordingly re-
traced our footsteps until we came TO
the rock which had fallen down when
we passed.
| Upon reaching this spot. we found
that. not only We could not escape,
but that the rock had formed q com
pIetc dam. and that the water was ris-
! ing rapidly.
| Tim, this looks very like two old
rats caught in trap, don't i, old tel'
low :"
1T docs look very much like bad
box" was my reply.
| "W hat had we better do :" he ques-
toned. -..
"W ork, my boy. work. and try to
get ont of this. IL will never DO TO
give it mp"
What do you propose to do? It
is simply impossible ior us to climb
out"
Then we must build steps" / re
Piled.
| We accordingly commenced carry
ing rocks and piling them against the
one which closed the passageway aud
cut off onr escape, but after while
we fognd the wafer was gaining upon
us fast, aud that Our efforts were in
vain.
| Fortunately for ns the ascent from
where the canon was blocked TO the
cataract was some twenty feet. This
fact enabled us 10 keep ont of immi-
neut danger, for when the water
would rise 10 tie height OF fifteen
feet it would run over, the rock form
ing another cataract similar To the one
above us.
We accordingly returned to the
upper end OF the canon, seated our
selves upon the rocks and began to
reflect upon our situation.
"Thc boys will find us here to-mor-
row. said.
That may be. and may not be. If
they follow our trail they will arrive
at that internal rock below us and he
lieye that it is the end of the canon,
90 back and commence searching
somewhere else.
, This was putting the ugly facts in s
light that was anything from pleasant,
: and compelled me 10 think our situa-
ton more critical than it appeared at
first blush.
/ walked back and forth several
times, scanning every portion of the
canon's walls in hopes of seeing some,
: thing that would enable me to escape,
but in vain. The walls were as
smooth as glass; in fact, a squirrel
could not have climbed them, let
: alone clumsy fellow who weighed
over two hundred pounds. After be-
coming satisfied that there. was no
chance Of escape again sat down be-
side Maxwell, who was perfectly de-
| moralized and incapacitated from
making any effort.
/ endeayored 10 arouse him. but he
, would not be comforted, and l finally
became disgusted and walked off
some distance, where sat down by
myself / shall not attempt to de-
scribe the thoughts that were running
/ through my brain. but / can. assure
5 the reader that they were of the most
somber character
r Darkness finally settled down upon
! the face of the earth. and in the canon
! it was darkness doubly distilled. We
2 could look up and see the stars glim-
mering in their cerulian setting. but
their rays shed no light upon ns in
+ that awful chasm. @ a9efg
When it began to grow dark Max
: well had partially aroused, and came
r and sat down by me. 3.sff
! "Im completely demoralized, Tim, y
] said be, "and can't make an effort to
= do anything" =