The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-01-16
FIGHTING THE STORM.
BY RANDOLPH.

Der %, 1857, Neil Garvev, William
Penifeld and John Mcdonald started
from the new camp called Leadyille, in
Shasta County, with the intention of
making their way on foot over the Mus
quito range TO Alma.
The whole party showed an unac-
countable carelessness from the starr
Ia stupidity, in fact, which was certain
to entail serious consequences.
They knew how frequently the most
binding and terrific storms ragged among
these businesses, rushing forth with as
much suddeness as the ocean squalls;
and yet they set out without adequ tie
preparation for the severe temperature
which they were sure to meet, even if
no tempest arose.
The little party, however, set off in
high spirits, but they were not long in
feeling the effects of the steady lowerin.
of the temperature.
1t grew colder as they advanced.
and, in spite of their exercise, they
could not prevent their bodies becoming
chilled.
They chatted and laughed, and hur-
ried along, and nothing noteworthy
took place until they were about half
way up the trail leading from Evans
Gulch, when two things attracted their
attention and caused serious misgiving.
Beyond all question, a violent range
storm was brewing, and they had to
choose between the dangerous attempt
to force their way through it, or turning
about altogether. They concluded to
push ahead. s 500
Garvey and Penifeld, about the same
time, observed a disconnection in the
speech of their companion. n
He talked as much as ever, but he
said odd things in the most serious man.
ner. His sentences were cut short, and
turned about in such fantastic fashion
that it was evident his mind was becom,
ing affected by the cold.
The fact was, the poor fellow had al
ready Logan to succumb, and, unless he
could be induced to fight eff the insidieus
approach of death, he was doomed be-
yond question.
McDonald's companions did all in
their power. They laughed and shouted,
and told their friend to keep up brave
heart, and it would all come out right in
the end.
They succeeded finally in arousing
him to dim sense of his danger, and
he summoned his waning energies to the
fight for life.
The storm by this, time encompassed
them, and was raging with appalling
violence. The wind, at times, blowing
straight against them, brought the lag
ging steps almost to a stand-still, or,
catching them from an opposite point,
pushed them forward on trot.
The snow, whirling in furious eddies,
often blinded them, and made it difficult
to stick to the trail.
McDonald's squirt carried him along
till the summit of the mountain was
reached, and his friends were hoping
that he would be able to pull through,
but the man had taxed himself to the
utmost, and he gave up entirely.
1t was g terrible situation for all. II
the fellow remained where he was, he
was sure to die; and yet there was nc
means of kindling fire, or of obtain
ing assistance.
Garyey and Penifeld showed an heroic
sympathy, which seems to lie dormant
in every heart, only awaiting the occa
sion to bring it to life.
Garvey took off the gunny sacks that
were wrapped around his own boots ant
placed them about the feet of McDon
aid; and Penifeld, removing his, Sc
cured them about the face and neck
while his gloves were drawn upon tht
hands of the benumbed man, who
wanted to be left alone, that he nigh
go to sleep.
Then he was showed roughly, and tolc
if he went to sleep he would die, and hi
only salvation was in pushing ahead
Finally, he was yanked smartly to hi
feet, and told he must walk along
whether orno.
Mcdonald, under this vigorous medi
cine, seemed to rally little, and, as
sisted by his friends, he plodded for
ward, until, after great delay and labor
. the three succeeded in getting across tn
summit fiat, and approached the poin
where the descent began.
Here nature gave out. No remon
stance or shaking could induce the free2
ing man to make any more effort. Hi
head lolled to one side, and arms an
legs refused to do anything more.
The plight of the other two was nearl
as bad. The tempest howled along lik
a hurricane, whirling the snow and ic
in suhocating drifts, and so filling th
air that the men could scarcely Sc
each other, when standing within arm
length. ~
Penifeld had no gloves upon h
hands even, while the scanty clothing {
himself and Garyey made it look yer
probable that the fate of all three woul
be the same.
"It's-a bad gol" shouted Carve
with has back to the storm, and
mouth only few inches from the e,
of Penifeld.
Yes; we shall have tough time
we get through. But what's to becon
of JohnF"
Heaven only knows. There dor
seem to be any way of rousing him."
Once more the two grasped each al
and shook their benumbed companio
until it seemed they would dislocate /
neck; but not syllable or volunta
movement followed.
guess he's done for" said Carve
Poor john we can do nothing
him."
at looks as il he had onIy gone abe