The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-11-12

nOur L naU arrived
The next morning a bout nine O'Clock took
stroll into the city and found it alive with
excitement and flying rumors of the disap-
pearance OF the beautiful Miss Belle Acher-
man, the latest tianoee OF the great Brigham.
Detectives and post-riders were sent out in
every direction from the city, and the
Council of Teu,' backed up by the local
police force, instituted a most thorough and
Sigilant search throughout every part of the
town. Our own tent did not escape their
scrutiny, for rumor and conjecture had been
busy, as Trafton and Miss Alderman had been
seen several times together during the past
three or four days. But as all but myself
had been profoundly ignorant of this cir
cumstance till now, they could only express
their astonishment at the cleyerness of their
| companion.
As for myself, was in a fever of excite
ment during the remaining two days of our
stay in the city, lest my fugitive friends
should be overtaken, or some accident occur
to them in their perilous flight to the
mountains.
/ But the two days passed, and the fugitves
! were not overtaken-at least no news to
that effect had yet reached the city; but
there were flying rumOrS that they had been
seen fleeing northward by several persons,
and the hat-boatman who transported passen-
gers and freight across the river (Bear River)
remember to have seen them at the time of
their crossing in his barge. He particularly
remembered them on account of the re-
markable beauty of both. He had never
seen so handsome couple together before,
nor two fner-looking horses but after this
all trace of them was lost, nor could any
further clew be obtained as to the precise di-
rection they had taken.
Two days after their departue we broke
camp in Salt Lake and started for Bear River.
We met several parties returning who had
been out in pursuit of the fugitives but all
gave the same answer to our inquiry, that
no trace of them had been found beyond the
river. Various where the conjectures we
now formed regarding them. Zebulon Jinks
gave it as his opinion that they had pushed
on to the mountains, and were now lying in
wait for our arrival. Some thought they
might have overtakeu and Joined a party
who had left Salt Lake day or two before
our arrival, while others imagined they
might have been captured by Diggers, or
destroyed by wild beasts. But the great
problem was solved four days after in
most curious and providential manner.
We had camped for The night among the
foothills of the Utah, selecting a small ravine
or valley, which presented an unusual show of
vegetation, and hanpering our animals so
fbot +la,, ,lar
campment during the night. We had not
as yet taken the precaution to station .
guard over property, not apprehending any
danger from the hostile Diggers at so short
distance from the Mormon country. But
in this fancied dream of present security we
were destined to be mistaken, for little
past midnight we were awakened by demon
strations Of unusual excitement and terror
on the part of the animals. The dog aroused
the camp by his loud and vociferous barking,
while the horses and two of the mules hud-
died around the tent as if to ask protection
from some impending danger. The other
three mules were missing.
We looked for them in every direction,
but they were no where to be found. We
naturally came to the conclusion after this
that we had received a nocturnal visit from
the Diggcrs and the discovery the next
morning of a trail leading up the mountain
fully corroborated our feaN. We left two Of
the party in charge of the camp, while the
remaining four started up the mountain in
pursuit of the cowardly black rascals who
were putting us to all this unnecessary
trouble. The trail was very plain most of
the way, and we made rapid progress.
I From previous accounts we had read, We
knew that these barbarous and degraded
creatures-the most ignorant and debased,
the nearest approach to the animal of any
of the aboriginal tribes on the continent
inhabited the rocky dens and caverns of the
mountains, disputing the right Of occupancy
with the grizzly bear or the gaunt wolf. We
/ knew that by persevering we should ultimate
ly track them to some of their numerous
haunts, and that ordinarily one well-armed
white man was able to cope with dozen of
them. If we succeeded in overhauling them,
a few we'll directed rifle shots would put
them to fight, and leave US once more in
possession of our property. For three hours
( we toiled on and upward, climbing height
above height, till 1t seemed that we must
have already reached the highest apex of the
mountain, but still there was higher hight.
/ Suddenly we observed the dog throw up his
! head and sniff the air. There was some
thing in the wind it was plain.
! i.What is it, Hawk Eye? said the
guide. "Do you smell the red-skinned,
hyenas, boyT'
The dog gave low, admonitory yelp, but
still kept shifting the air. Presently Zebulon
himself, whe was few steps in advance OF
the rest, suddenly stopped, and, like the dog,
seemed to be shifting the air. At length, as
if satisfied, he exclaimed:
/ Roasting meat, by giugo! and a little
burnt at that The pesky varmints amt
fur off. Hawk Eye, keep quiet. Now let
us all move cautious"
There was still another elevation to ascend
| oc