The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-09-06

were abundantlv sheltered from the
wind, which frequently sweeps over
the prairie with the freezing power
of blast from the Arctic regions
Before reaching their destination,
they passed close TO & large bill,
where Cole asked the teamster to
wait until be could go to the top and
make an observation, adding that be
took quite an interest in this section
of the country.
Chandler noticed that when he
reached the crest of The elevation, ali
his interest seemed TO centre in the
west, which was in the direction oI
Martins rancho He stood a long
time, shading his eyes with his hands,
and finally he drew forth fleld-glass
from bis coat, and held that leveled
{ for several minutes.
] Hes queer codger!!" muttered
the teamster, as be sat In bis wagon
looking at him. II wonder what be
sees up there? 1t can't be anything
like Iniuns, nor do | believe that
glass is strong enough for him to see
Salt Lake City, which lays a good
many miles of to the northwest. over
pile of mountains, and rivers, and
I pFairies"
At any other time, it is probable
that Chandler would have taken more
interest u his companion, but just
then the weather demanded his atten-
tion. The temperature was rapidly
lowering, and the fine particles Of
snow were slowly increasing, with
that steady gain which nearly always
indicates the setting in of long
storm
After few more minutes, the
stranger put away his field glass and
descended the hill, resuming his
/ friendly chat, and making no refer
ence to the result of his survey.
The spot toward which they were
journeying was reached soon after.
and Chandler set TO work, while Cole
placed the rails in the wagon as they
were gotten out The former was a
>kiilful woOd-cutter, and it was not
long before the load was made up
aud they set out on their return 10
camp, it being apparent at this time
that they would have to spend the
night in the grove.
This prospect was not an unpleas-
ant ole by any means, for they had
blankets, food, and themeans of kind
ling a FIRE. Thefact of it was, Chand-
Ter viewed the probability of long
evenings talk around the camp Gre
with pleasant anticipations. Coles
charm Of conversation seemed to in
crease, and be had the facility of en-
tertaining any one.
But they had only fairly started,
when the wagon broke down and
proceedings were brought to a stand
still for time An examination into
the mishap proyedit so serious that
it was agreed to leave the wagon
where it was, while they rode the
mules forward to THE grve in which
they had established their camp.
Accordingly, Cole mounted Que and
Chandler the other, and the start was
made, the latter taking the lead.
The snow had steadily increased,
until it was now coming down with
great papidity. and the wind carried
it almost horizontally against their
faces. 1t was already couple inches
deep on the prairie, aud was sure to
continue for many hours longer; but
as vet they felt no alarm, as the
grove was near by, and they We're
sure of securing shelter there.
When they had ridden half hour
or so, Cole forced his mule up beside
that Of the other, and said:
Don't you think it is about time
we reached that grovey"'
Yes, " answered the teamster, who
was beginning to think the way gnu-
sually long. I'VE ought to have
been there long before this; hu; it is
hard for muleto walk through the
snng"
Or a man either. Can YOU see
any landmarks"
They brosght their animals to
standstill, aud tried to make al Oh
servation"
1t was Impossible to see far ahead
The snow was falling faster than ever,
in dne, needle-like particles, which
ratified gainst the face and clothing
like birdshot They were unable to
penetrate more than fifty feet ahead,
and peer as much as they chose,
naught recognizable could be discoy-
cred.
Nothing of the form Of tree or /
stream-nothing indeed bat the level !
prairie, covered with its carpet If /
white, stretching away until it van
ishied in the gloom.
Il can't make out any thing hut
snow" said Chandler after they had /
sat some ten inmates in silence, in 4
the attempt to use nothing hut their
eyes. /
Nor either " replied Cole Let's
20 ahead, for if we stay here we're
sure to be showed under. DO you
think we're on the right rOad."
There isn't any road at all, in this
part of the world; but I'm sure we're
toward the grove"
Then move Oh, and we're slre 10
reach it at one time or other: bat l'm
10 feel some doubts"
But the tesmster was confident, as
.bey resumed their journey through
.he snow. and the mules were per-
nitted TO plod along 10 their own
way, until all Of halt al bour more
was consumed, when Cole called out, 4
n & sharp, military tone of voice: i
Attention, halt,n
What's up now.n asked Chand-
er. checking his mule, and looking
.oward him.
DO YOU still think we are on the
light roadzr i
Il begin to have M dauiits The
iistance was 80 short that we couldn't
have kept out of sight this long un-
ess We bad gone astray"
We're lost; that's Just as certain
Is il Is that the snow is falling snd
: going TO keep at it all night" Z
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