The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-11-22
THE TRAPPER'S STORI.

During tie spring of 1854 our party was
encamped on the handspring OF San Juan,
a region as desolate in its waste oi rocky
hills and mountains as it was fraitful in
furs-the object of our reXpeditiOn-and the
most dangerous savages, who held full sway
at the early time at which | write. a par
adise for trappers it was, beyond a doubt.
There were four of us from the settlement
of the Colorado-bOld, rough athletic, not
one below six feet, full formed and muscu-
lar. a rude hut of logs were used as our
headquarters aud depository for the furs,
which, from our success and industry, had
become a large aud valuable collection.
Within the hut were rude accomm odatioDs
which our isolation from the settlements
made scarce from necessity. Blankets
swung from each of the four corners served
for beds, while in the centre 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 rolicking style of life that fasci-
| mates the trapper, and privatious which he
endures only lend charm to the rowing
nature. TbeSeason was drawing to close;
the snow was beginning to disappear in
the valleys, aud multItudes of rivulets were
lasniDg themselves into foaming furies as
they fastened down to join the swelling
river.
Early one morning l unslung my rifle,
! prepared small luncheon, and started for
| the mountainous region to the northward
/ of the camp in quest of game to supply the
/ lardeT. Hoping to cross the valley before
! the warmth of the rising sun should con-
vert it into an impossible slough, hasten
ed forward to reach the highest mountains.
! / reached them just the sun began tC
| flood the valley with al, its golden warmth
and beauty. Pausiug on lofty crest,
viewed one of the grandest scenes inimita
! ble nature had placed before my wander
/ ing eyes.
To the south lay the valley, stretching IL
| its serpentiue course until it disappeared il
some low-lying hills, To the north were the
mountains piled one above another, Ill
their SNOW capped tops lost themselves
within approaching clouds. This is only Z
| faint idea Of the wonderful beauty which
held me for a moment. / had seen thi
view many times before, but each time new
beauties were added, aud With warn
| spring sun refecIing from the frosty tops
| il was indescribably beautiful.
Reaching a narrow detile that led TO ;
section most frequented by large game,
puSl ed rapidly onward. The sun mounted
| higher in the heavens and the beautiful
frost work, so lovely when the first rays o
sunlight made it look like glitiering d:s
monds, began now to melt into tiny Stream
let's.
BY noon the place where ] most expected
to find pIenteous supply of game wa
| reached bat to my surprise there Mas no
the least visible sign of any. The mos
careful survey disclosed nothing but track
several days old. To return emp'y-hdnde'
to my companions was by no means
| pleasant idea. 1t did not take me long t.
decide to push TO the northeast and risl
the possibility of nights detention in tb
mountain. Mile after mile / climbed owe
the rough precipitous route. How far
had wandered from the camp was not cas-
to determine but as the afternoon wa
drawing to a close, and the sun disappear
ed behind the lofty peaks about me,
sense of extreme fatigue pervaded m
frame.
was completely at loss to explain tn
total disappearance of all signs Of anims
life where before had always been a
abundance aud the only reasonable cor
clusion for me to form was that some wal
dering band of Navajoes had pI eceded nIt
had advanced but couple of mile
further in the wilderness of mountain
when the uucOming darkness and sighs {
the approaching storm made me seek son
shelter for the night Halfway up stee
decliviIy | discovered a cluster of tre'
which promised partial shelter, and
supply of brushwood for n fire. A fe
moments bIought me to this haven. IL
trees were scrubby and afforded little or L
protection /; but. thankful for the benefit
that small favor, l went to work earnest
to rake together dry sticks and leaves &
a fire by which to roast some of the bei
steak which had prepared for my lunch
With some difficulty the wood lighte'
aud. after sputtering for some time, bur
into comfortable blaze. A couple
spits were soon ready, aud the meat, u
; only article | possessed, was blisteriI
n away before the fire. Stepping few yar
aside to heap of dead brush To get fire.
is supply of fuel, to my great surprise and j
! discovered large cavity in the rocks.
7. tore away the brush aud vines about {