The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-12-07
THE TRAPPER'S STORY.


DURING the spring of 1915 our party
was encamped on the head spring of
San Juan, a region as desolate in its
waste of rocky hills and mountains as
1t was fruitful in furs-the object of our
eXpedition-and the most dangerous say
ages, who held full sway at the early time
of which | write. A paradise for trap
pers it was, beyond doubt. There
were four of us from the settlement of
the Colorado-bold, strong, athletic,
not one below six feet, full formed and
muscular. A rude hut of logs was used
as our headquarters and depository for
the furs, which, from our success and
industry, had become large and valua-
BILE collection. Within the hut were
rude accommodations, which our isola-
ton 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 a 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, rollicking
style of life that fascinates the trapper,
and the suffering and privations which
he indures only lend charm to the
rowing nature. The season was draw
ing to close; the snow was beginning
to disappear in the valleys, and multi
tudes of rivulets were lashing them
selves into foaming furies as they hast
ened down to join the swelling river.
Early one morning | unslung my
rifle, prepared a 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, l fastened forward
to reach the higher mountains. [
reached them just as the sun began to
food the valley with all its golden
warmth and beauty. Pausing on a
lofty crest, viewed one of the grand
est scenes that inimitable nature had
placed before my wondering eyes.
To the south lay the valley, stretch
ing in its serpentine course until it dis
appeared in some low-lying hills, to the
north where the mountains, piled one
above another, till their snow-capped
tops lost themselves within approach
ing clouds. This is only a faint idea
of the wonderful beauty which held me
for moment. had seen this view
many times before: but each time new
beauties were added, and, with warm
spring sun rejecting from the frosty
tops, it was indescribably beautiful.
Reaching narrow defile 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 l 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 a pleas
ant idea. 1t did not take me long to
decide to push to the northeast and
risk the possibility of nights deten-
ton in the mountain. Mile after mile
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, a sense of ex-
treme fatigue pervaded my frame.
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 Nav
ajoes had preceded me.
| had advanced but a couple of miles
further in this wilderness of mountains
when the oncoming darkness and signs
of an approaching storm babe me seek
some shelter for the night. Halfway
up steep declivity / discovered a
cluster of trees which promised par
tial shelter and supply of brushwood
for fire. A few moments brought me
to this haven. The trees were scrubby
and afforded little or no protection; but,
thankful for the benefit of that small
favor, Invent to work earnestly to rake
together dry sticks and leaves for fire
by which to roast some of the bear
steak which l had prepared for my
lunch.
With some difficulty the wood
lighted, and, after sputtering for some
time, burst into comfortable blaze. A
couple of spits were soon ready, and
the meat, the only article l possessed,
was blistering away before the fire.
Stepping a few yards aside to a heap of
dead brush to get fresh supply of
fuel, to my great surprise and Joy 1
discovered large cavity in the rocks.
/ tore away the brush and vines about