The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-10-24
FLOATING ON A HOLLOW LOG.

] MA anu uISpOSlQg Oh IltlG animals pro-
vided themselves with the usual outfit
/ for the diggings and with Unabated ar
/ dor commenced delying for the precious
metal The luck of thousands attended
/ them. Now their hopes would be at
. the fever point at the discovery Of a few
shining grains, and then again they
would toll for days without being re-
WaTded by a single grain Of hope. Thus
! they worked, week after week, and
month after month. until the winter
passed. and the spring dawned upon
them. They had prosecuted their labOrs
/ in every spot near them, yet with miser-
! able success and upon holding a con-
sultation it was determined to remove
/ to some place which had not yet been
/ visited by the hundreds of miners.
Accordingly, collecting together their
worldly all, they took direction nearly
/ due north, toward Oregon Territory
Here, striking slightly to the east, they
commenced a search through the noun
tainS in that vicinity. The streams
were turned aside and their beds exam
/ ined and in wild, rocky gOTCes, never
disturbed by the presence of man, they
/ piled the pick and spade, and the forest
rung with their glad. exultant shouts.
as, in some instances, their labCrs were
rewarded. Their success was quite
good, and they were comparatively well
rewarded. They remained here several
months, until the summer was far adj
vauced. and. strangely enough. were
UudistUrbed by Indians. Then, when
about to start for san Francisco, before
embarking for home, it was determined
/ by several to make further exploration
of the romantic country around them.
The company separated, with the
agreement to return to the camping
ground at the end of a week. Each
took a different direction from his COM
pauiou. and determined to improve his
time to the utmost.
1t is our purpose to follow the adven-
lures of but one of the Ompany-GeOrge
Ellis, who, in one short week. eXpeTien-
ced enough to fill a volume.
At the end of the week. they all met
upon the camping-grOund, with the ex-
ceptiOn of two. The fate of one of these
w illiam Trenck-waS known. He
had been discovered lying at the foot Of
a tree with a bloody orifice in his fore
head, through which the bullet OF some
hidden enemy had passed. His scalp
was gone. and there was no doubt enter
tanned in relation to his deStT0YeIS. Al
though the miners hoped fer the best
Yet they all believed that Ellis had shar-
ed the same fate with his companion. a
search. however, was instituted and
every spot that could be explored in time
was visited and searched by the remain
ing ones. 1t was without success and
after remaining a day or two beyond the
appointed time, they finally bade fare
well 60 the camping-gTound and all
hopes Of their companion.
Ellis was the best hunter and the
most reckless Of his party, and, without
hesitation, ne struck off in a northeast
erly direction, toward Oregon Territory.
and before ne was aware OF it, he mad
reached that portion Of the country in
, haDited by the Indians called MOleleS-
Here, although he found plenty of game.
he discovered not the least traces of
gold yet, as this was the last OppOrtu-
nifty that he ever expected to be present
ed with, he determined to improve it to
the utmost and visit every vicinity that
his limited time permitted.
For five days he continued his wan
deriugs without meeting with any event
worthy of note. when late in the after
noon he discovered that he was in
country inhabited by numerous Indians.
Their signs were all around him, and he
found that the utmost caution was ne
ceSsary TO avoid an encounter. Several
times he feared that his presence had
become known but no savage, however.
showed himself; and at night. as he lay
down TO rest, it was with the hope that
as yet he was safe.
Somewhere near midnight he sudden
ig awOke, apparently without cause. vet.
as he affirmed, with q strange PRESENT.
ment Of impending danger. which he
cOnld not shake off. When he awoke it
was not rs person generally does, but
in an immediate state of consciousness.
l.. g.. L.
he felt the presence of some foe. There
was a moon. yet the night was cloudy.
and it only showed itself at intervals
As a heavy cloud tIOated past its face.
Ellis either imagined or really saw sew
cTal forms crossing the river toward
him. and as he listened ilteutly he heard
the soft. mulilej dip of oars. This was
enough; and, without waiting further.
he commenced a hasty, though silent.
retreat
lie judged it best to keep the stream
in sight, as he knew that t would
eventually lead him in close proximity
to the camp. He had gone but short
distance, when he heard a low, peculiar
sound, like the cry of a wild bird This
he knew was a signal Of the Indians. and
he lost no time in getting beyond the
hearing Of it.
detected 4 half-decayed treeresting part
ly in the water. a sudden idea seized
him, and STOPPING, he rolled it into the
water. II was light and dry. and float
ed finely; and as he saw how well it
bore his weight he could not help con
graduating himself upon his good for
tune thus far
Ellis secured his rifle, and stretched
himself out in an easy position upon the
log and, being Wearied. before he was
aware Of it he dropped to sleep. He had
about fairly got off into the land OF
dreams, when, with an Ugh - he
dropped beneath the surface, and gently
( touched the bottom. As he rose his
head struck directly against the bottom
Of the log, and in no pleasant mood he
reached up and clambered upon it. The
log, in its course, had kept at 4 distance
from the shore but. in turning a bend.
one end struck the bank, and thus dis
lodged Ellis.
Despite the uncomfortable feeling
which his misfortune had produced. the
hunter felt that he was again passing
into sleep. And he had reached thaS
peculiar, semi-cOnscious state. in which
the nerves are most sensitive. when there
came a sound that made him quake with
horror 1t was at his feet, and with a
chill Of dread he drew them III and work
ed his way as far from it as possible
Here he held his breath, and it was re
peated-the fearful warning Of the rat
tlesnake. Ellis peered in the darkness,
but no object was visible: vet the rep
tile was within six feet of him, and
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