The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1878-03-15
Written for the NEW NoRTH-WEsr.-
THE FRIENDS OF 40. =.
The Story Of Their Last Stampede Together,
BY SAND BAR. 80
BY SAND BAR

q Almost hidden by the luxuriant growth
willows and alder that tringed the banks
ot RAPID mountain stream ia Northern
Montana, was low, log house. Its dirt
covered roof, green with grass, evidenced
that 1t was not of recent construction, and
the faint wreath of smoke lazily creeping
from the rude stone chimney affirmed that
it was at least still worthy of habtation.
From the door on its southern exposure a
path led; through the brush to the purling
stream spoken of, it's crystal waters teem-
ing with that most delicious of all fish, " the
speckled trout" afforded veritable para
disc for the angler, and the most primitive
OF tackle could have here secured in little
while an abundance OF that much Wanted
| brain inspiring food. Stretching back on
its north and rear, a broad plateau in grand
waving undulatiOns lost istelf in the forests
that grew to the snow line of the noun
talns whose @hitened peaks lowered in SOL
emu, stately grandeur over the little valleys
Nesting at their feet. A nearer view of the
nut testified that its present occupants were
ot that nondescript class, the pioneers of
advanced clvlilZatlon-the prospecting mi
ner-and scattered here and there, with the
proverbiai caIelessness of the mouptaineer,
was the usual paraphernalia Of miners
| outfit.
Seated on a fallen tree Immediately in
front of the door, busily engaged in clean
ing his rifle. was a man probably fifty years
OF age. His strong, sinewY form was Gov
cred by greasy bu ,kskin suit, and the
dark brown halr that escaped through the
rents OF his ragged sombrero was literally
besprinkled with gray. =. His face, rugged
AND marked with the care and exposure in
evitable to such life, was frank and open.
InnS \
glance from his work to the door with an
anxious expectant look. Curled up asleep
at his feet lay large Newfoundland
dog. Humming some old mining song, he
was a fair representative of that class now
rapidly passing away-the 49'er. Placing
his rifle at last against the log he reached
down and gathering the head of the dog
between his hands, raised him up and draw
ing him beside him, said:
'jack old man: Pard is wuss. I'm
afeard he's agwine ter pass in. He's jes
layin' in thar satisfied like, th'out no pain,
en- it's a bad sign. Eff thar was show fur
doctor I'd git him. Ihev done all kould
give him bottle OF medicin shet bought
in Heleny fur the cramps, en- he tuck it ALL
The whisky is all gone en- he drinked all the
tea, en- pears like he don't keer fur bacon
and bread no more. / must git some fresh
meat. | seed band ov antelope on the bar
above, yesterday. He mout fancy rib.
Yes, whine away. You haint ben with
him long es me bat he's ben better
marster then hev to yer. Yes, Pll go af
ter sum meat, tho I'm almost afeard, case
eff he shud die en- me gone, I'd go crazy. |
hev never, since we met in Downieville,
Kaliforney, twenty odd years ago, bin away
a day from him, en- I'll not take no chance
now. Damme, how time flies Seems es |
if it war only yesterday that we met in
Hanks saloon in Downieville in 80, en- |
drinked tergether. He seed war a pill |
grim, en- 'vited me to cabin with him, en- |
sense then we hes bin pards tho thick en-
thin; hev bin to Washoe, Carriboo, Boise
Basin, Alder Gulch, every whar ther was |
stampede am got allus good ground. En- |
Jack, like dam fools we jes chucked our
money away, and now here we is, so fur |
from emmy body Krstofer Kalumbus |
kouIdn't find us. Ef he was only well, Jack, |
we mout do well on the bar above. got |
fair prospects on ther rim, yesterday, en-
thar is better little lower down. I'll bet |
eny how we'd whipsaw box ur two en- |
work out piece whar ther is pay. But it !
can't be did now, en- that's sartin, fur feel
thet he's a dying And putting the dog
away from him he dropped his head in his |
hands and while the tears trickled through !
his fingers he sobbed out as if his heart |
would break, ga dying, Jack, dying Ia |
dying la dying" !"
IS Bill, Bill p weak voice called from
the cabin, causing the miner to dash the |
tears away with the sleeve of bis coat and !
with quick strides to pass in to the house,
the interior of which is worthy OF brief |
description. No more than ten feet square, |
its low roof begrimmed with SCOT and smoke |
was feseooned with spider webs. On its |
large, open fireplace few em6ers raked |
together threw a fitful gleam OF light over
surrounding objects. q. three-legged stool
and table of shakes constituted the only |
furniture, and leaning against the wall
were the prospecting pan and spiders-she |
campers inseparable companions. 50
On bed of willows. over which few
robes had been thrown, lay the wasted and |
emaciated form Of a man probably sixty
wears of age. His suit Of buckskln was
worn and from its tattered appearance had |
seen much service The grizzled hair and
unkempt beard were sufficiently suggestive