Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-07-03
Selctted Myistrllanv,
A RACE FOR LIFE.
ny EDWARD b. uEAroN.

In the winter of 1866 a couple Of
Canadian voyagers, of the names of
Nicholas and jules Semineau, were
caught by terrible snow storm while
taking up their traps on the head Of the
Big Horn River, in the Rocky Noun
tains. The storm lasted for several days.
nor was there any hope Of escape until
the snow should become compact enough
to bear their weight upon snow shoes
The voyagers were yet striplings,
scarcely arrived Of age. Hitherto their
father had accompanied them upon their
expeditions, but now he was at home at
his rancho, on the great overland route
The lodge Of the brothers consisted
of a couple of buffalo robes stretched in
front of an overhanging rock that over
looked the river.
Here were slowed their furs, neatly
tied up in small bales, made up princi-
pally of the skins of minks, offers and
beavers. with few pets Of the silver
fox. Over these were laid robes, which
served as a bed. A little fire was re-
plenished from time to time by the dry
branches Of pine and cedar, of which
they fortunately had an ample supply.
Thus they were enabled to pass the
days pleasantly Notwithstanding the ra-
ging of the elements without.
Up the canon. through which the riv-
or flowed, the wind sucked and roared
terribly. The icy face Of the stream
was soon cleared of snow, which drifted
into the lateral canons, gorging them
completely.
In order to pass away the time, the
young men busted themselves in making
skates from the horns Of an elk. The
art of skating they had learned while
boys on the broad bosom of the st. Law
renee.
Their meat running short, Nicholas
concluded to have run on his skates up
the river, with the hope of killing an
elk, which were numerous on the pine
covered slopes Of the mountains.
Rifle in hand, he started in high spir-
its, gliding by rocky capes and frowning
promontory. made by the sharp bends
and curves of the river. Where the
activities we're gentler, forests of the
yellow pine, cedar and juniper, lifted
their dark green heads, now burdened
with weight of snow The quick gaze
of Nicholas searched in every shelter for
the mighty antIers Of the elk, or the blue
coat of the black-tailed deer, the best Of
all vonison.
1t was not long ere he spied herd of
the latter, Of which he had the good luck
to kill two. The saddles Of these be Sc
cured together, strapped them around
his shoulders, and started on his return
home, distant about four miles.
He skated leisurely along. humming
light French air, when suddenly his ears
were struck by an uneartbly cry, which
he at once recognized as the roar Of the
mountain lion, and he could distinguish,
also, that the cries proceeded from more
than one.
He quickened his pace. His skates
rang hard against the solid ice. The
cries became clearer, and be instinctivcly
felt that he was pursued.
Fear lent him wings He dropped
saddle, hoping thereby to satisfy the
hunger Of the lions. He found present
ly, however, that they made no halt 1t
was the young man they ragged after, and
nought but his blood would appease
them.
He now cast aside his remaining sad
die and his rife, and leaned forward upon