Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1878-12-21
The Trsp~r's Story.

San Juan, . region ~ desolate in its
1aste Of rocky hills and m ountains Is it
was fruitful in furs-the object Of our
and the most dangerous
lavages, who bel full sway at the early
time Of which ! write. A paradise for
trappers II Was, beyond doubt. There
we're four o: us from the settlement Of
the Colorado, bold. strong, athletic,
not one below six feet, full.formed anu
muscular. A rnde hut Of logs was
used q our headquarters and deposi
tory for the furs, which, from our sue
cess anil industry, had become large
and valuable collection. Within the
hut were rude accommodations which
our isolation from the settlements
made scarce from necessity. Blankets
swung from each OF the four corners
served for beds, while in the center OF
the room WAS . roughly constructed
hearth. About this hearth and against
the walls were piled and hung the
fruits of our winters labor. There was
much of real pleasure in the wild, rol.
licking style of14fe that fascinates the
trapper, and the suffering and priva-
tions which he endures only lend a
charm to the rowing nature. The sea.
son was drawing to a close; the snow
was beginning to disappear in the val
legs, and multitudes of rivulets were
lashing themselves into foaming furies
as they fastened down to join the swell
ling river.
Early one morning I uaslung my
rifle, prepared small luncheon, and
started for the mountainous region to
the northward of the camp in quest
of game to supply the larder. Hoping
to cross the valley before the warmth
of the rising sun should convert it into
an impossible slough, I, fastened for.
ward to reach the higher mountains.
I reached them just as the sun began
to food the valley with all its golden
warmth and beauty. Pausing on o
lofty crest, viewed one of the grand
est scenes that inimitable nature had
placed before ny wondering eyes.
To the south lay the valley, stretch.
ing in its serpentine. course until il dis
appeared in some low-lying hills, to
the porth where the mountains, piled
one above another, till their snow.
capped tops lost themselves within APP
preaching clouds. This is only faint
dea of the wonderful beauty which
held me for q moment. I had seen
this view many times before; but each
time new beauties we're added, and,
with warm spring sun rejecting from
the frosty tops, it was indescribably
beautiful.
Reaching narrow dsfile that led to
. section most frequented by large
game, pushed rapidly onward. The
sun mounted higher in the heavens,
and the beautiful frost work, so lovely
when the first rays of sunlight made it
look like glittering diamonds, began
now to melt into tiny streamlets.
By noon the place where I most ex-
pected to find . plenteous supply of
game was reached; but to my surprise,
there was not the least visible sign of
any. The most careful survey dis
closed nothing but tracks several days
old. To return empty handed to my
companions was by no means q pleas
ant idea. It did not take me long to
decide to push TO the northeast and
risk the possibility of o nights deten-
ton in the mountain. Mile after mile
I climbed over the rough, precipitous
route. How far had wandered from
the camp was not easy to determine;
but as the afternoon was drawing to a
close, and the sun disappeared behind
the lofty peaks about me, sense of ex-
IRENE fatigue pervaded my frame.
I was completely at loss to explain
the total disappearance of all signs of
animal life where before there had al
ways been AN abundance; and the only
reasonable conclusion for me to form
was that some wandering band of
NavajOes had preceded me.
I had advanced but couple of miles
further in this wilderness of noun
tains when the oncoming darkness and
signs of an approaching storm babe
me seek some shelter for the night.
Halfway up the steep declevity I dis.
covered cluster of trees which prom
ised partial shelter, and q supply of
brush wood for fire. A few moments
brought me to this haven. Tho trees
were scrubby and afforded little or No
protection; but. thankful for the bene-
1T of that small favor, went to work
earnestly to rake together dry sticks
and leaves for fire by which to roast
some Of the bear steak which had
prepared for my lunch.
With some difficulty the wood
lighted, and, after suffering for some
time, burst into . comfortable blaze
A couple of spits were soon ready. and
the meat. the only article l possessed,
wss clustering away before the fire.
Stepping few yards aside to heap of
dead brush to get fresh supply OF fuel,
% my great surprise and joy I discov-
cred . large cavity in the rocks tore
away the brush and vines about the
entrance, and made my way into the
usv quarters. II proved to he rough
apartment. extending about fifty feet
into the aide Of the mountain, and
widening from the eatrance TO the hack
vail. L. was comparatively dry, and
vosy desirabls sAsltsr from shs ap-
peenchiag saorn. A large pile u
tsssh vo sn.ilv passed into The cavity.
vhers I sPssd1y seaovsd my supper.
Whao he 6seble light Of the IRE H.
lunisAAeA ths dizzy plecs. vas not
- pastiealasly = go - ny Arst i'm
pscnsioa led - 10 hope l would be.
n ipdissaioes we're qalte too evident
1nr - b b nislakea. / had nsurPed
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