The Republican journal., 1873-04-03

.
much worn, creased and soiled, and held
them in his hand-"but have no need to
recur to them, as have read them many
times.
Well, from the point of separation the
Wilson's continued in southeasterly direc-
ton. They at first travelled with every
precaution against surprise, but finally
relaxed their vigilance, as they were
seemingly beyond the range of the hostile
tribes.
At last they reached green and mar
row valley, walled in by PERCEPTIONS
mountains, around which meandered,
Overland among bowlders of rchlv-colored
rock and across beds of smooth and shin
ing pebbles, the limpid waters of q snow
fed stream. Here they determined to rest
and recruit themselves and their iaded
animals, while they leisurelv and thorough
| ly prospected for gold in the region imme-
diately about them.
Desiring to remain in the valley for
some time, they concluded to put up a
rude log cabin, which would protect their
camp equipage, and, pierced with loop
holes, tort-fashion, would serve as a de
fense in case of an Indian attack.
On the morning after their arrival
to construct the temporary home and
fortress; while James went forth, gun in
hand, to replensh their impoverished
larder. About ten O'Clock he killed a
deer which he shouldered and started for
camp. He reached the little stream, per-
spring and thirsty, for the day was warm,
and he threw his limp burden down upon
a pebbly bar while he stopped to get q
drink
No sooner had his lips touched the water
than his eye was arrested by the sparkle
of certain small objects scattered among
the gravel at the bottom A miner is ever
on the alert; and so. plunoing his hand
into the pellucid waters, he drew forth
a handful of gravel for examinations
1t was gold
Yes, there it was, in course yellow
grains and lumps-richer than dream.
He dropped suddenl Y to examine the bar
on which he stood. 1t, too was gorged
with the glittering metal, and he rose
with a whoop Of Joy that made the woods
echo and brought Henry running to the
spot, for he had heard it. and recognized
his brothers voice en- the other side OF
the valley You can imagine their ecstasy
They had known poverty all their lives
and there before them was wealth. sudden
splendid, eXhausless But | must NOT
inger Working together they finished
the cabin that dav and the next began
to gather the gold. The labor was not
great, and within two weeks time they
had heaprd together 4 marvellous quantity
of it, and began to contemplate a return
Life was now precious, and, after think
ing it over and weighing the chances fol
and against the practcabiltv OF getting
back unmolested, they We're convinced
that it was best to remain where they
were until the volunteer forces under
General Lane, which they knew were ON
their way, had reached the hostile country
and relieved the hard paths of mountain
travel from the willy foe that lurl<ed upon
every step. Having made an excavation
in the centre of their cabin floor. they
lined it carefully with rock, and, in the
vault thus formed deposited their treasure,
tied up in bags of dried and undressed
deerskin. This was done in ease an at
tack from the Indians shonll compel them
to flee, when, Of course il would De I'M
possible to carry the heavy metal
But no attack was made, and, after the
lapse Of several weeks, they arose one
morning and agreed 1hat it was time to
be upon the homeward trail. The sheonv
forest leaves waved in the soft winds "t
the morning, and the fresh air ,v.ts musical
with the songs Of birds, as, fully armed,
they strobe forth sprtedly to bring in
their horses, which had grown tat and
vigorous upon the bountitul pasture
The cabin stood near the stream, in the
edge of the wood, aud when they had ap-
preached to within forty wards II it, sud
denly score of rifles claShed upon them
from the bank, followed by the terrible
war-cry of the Shastas
Henry, who it happened was in front of
James, leading two of the horses, sank
with deadly groan, his horses rearing
and falling at the same time The Indians
burst from their cover and sprang for
ward with all the echoes of pandemonlum.
James empliel his rifle with fatal aim
among them, and drew his revolver. The
Indians knew the kind OF music they had
to face, and having neglected to reload,
dashed back to the cover OF the bank
The resolnte miner saw his salvation in
this movement. and, hastily tossing u
moose halter over the head of the only
horse that remained unin iured. leaped
upon his back, and was out of immediate
danger in an instant-careering down the
valley with the scattering shots Of the
enemy singing over his head The war
| party being aioot, he was not followed
and finally reached the frontier settle
ments, after 4 Journey Of incredible hard
ship.
| AS the Indian war continued without
abatement, he took passage for san Fran
| cisco, in order to obtain medical advice
| in regard 10 his health, which exposure
and privation had badly broken. Then it
was that he began The correspondence
with me. was in Chicago at the time.
| Unexpectedly receiving news OF his death
in the fall Of 1859, | fastened to san Fran
cisco, and received from the hands of his
landlord little bundle Of papers, among
which | found this Read it; no explana-
| ton is required"
| He handed me Il folded sheet Of paper,
on which letter hal been begun, in -
cramped, ungainly, but still legible hand.
Here 1t is:
SAN Francisco, Cal, Oct %, 1850.
| DEAR COUSIN: had hoped to see you here
| before this, but the end has come sooner than
! expected. | dreamed of that cabin in the Wilds
| OF Oregon, last night, and saw poor Harry fall
| again before the cowardly shots OF those sku TX
ing Shastas; and ! think it is nearly over. |
must write that | intended to have spoken and
endeavor to give you such directions As will Ell :
able you to find the cabin, for you must find it,
Theodore, and enjoy its hidden gold. The first
| part of your course is plain enough: start from
Jacksonville and keep the California road for
Here the hand of death stayed the reve-
lating pen, and there remained only y
black and shapeless ink-blot, rs lit en-
blem of the mystery that wrapped the
whereabouts of the lost cabin | turned
from the paper and looked at Harper-for
such was the name by which he had intro
duced himself to me-
That is all know about it," said he,
''and here is my proposition; let us joint
ly purchase an outfit, and spend the sum
mer in the mountains Ct Southern Oregon.
With the clew we have, | verify believe
that we shall find the cabin"
81 am with you,' and l gave him -
steadfast grip.
Harper flushed with pleasure at the
prompt and hearty acquiesence, and we sat
talking over the details of our expedition
until the gray eye Of dawn looked in, and
with a cold and unsympathizing stare ad-