Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-15

(San Francisco Bulletin.1

Twice in mg ex Experience as a miner In Cali
fornta have been bound In by impossible bar
riers of snow on the foot hills OF the Sierra Ne
vada The first time 1 had single compan-
ion. We had been mining in an Isolated but
rich gulch where we had constructed rude
cabin. We knew at that time nothing Of the
great snow storms OF the Sierra, so we had
neglected TO lay in provisions or fuel, and up
TO this time had procured wood from the scat
tertng pine trees on the mountain sides, but on
rising one morling we found at least two feet
OF snow fallen. IL continued all day long, and
when we rose next morning we found our one
little window darkened We managed to make
hole through corner Of the roof Of our cabin,
when down came wagon load OF snow and In
came flood OF light. We succeeded In shovel
ing away the snow from the roof and out of
our cabin. but the snow kept on coming down
all day. and on the arrival of the next day we
were aea ain in darkness, and again we tOiled for
light. During this day the storm abated. but
the snow had fallen to depth Of more than 10
feet. and we were prisoners.
Here for three weary weeks we were CON-
PEELED to stay. We had burned up every scrap
OF furniture in our cabin except the long
boards on the bottom OF our hunks. Even the
chinking and clapboardS on the inside of our
cabin, and the handles Of our shovels and tools
were consumed: Our meat had been gone
more than week, and we had eaten all our
beans and were entirely destitute. 1t had
showed every day little, so as to keep the
snow soft on top, and it was impossible to
walk through it, or In any way change our To-
cation or situation.
We could see nothing before US but death.
either from cold or starvation. Each looked
upon .p the other with suspicion; each thought
out losing his own. This was our horrible
condition. when suddenly the hole above our
heads was darkened. and we heard voice say.
rs there anybody down there?" A shout OF
joy and surprise was the response.
Who are you, and how did you get here?"
We asked.
a. am .Snow-shoe Thompson came here
On snow Shoes" he answered.
"Help US out, we are starving"
In another minute Thompson was in our
midst. He gave us some cheese and crackers.
which we eagerly devoured. He asked us II
We had any tools out OF which he could make
for us each pair OF snow-Shoes. We had
burned the handles of all our tools, except
haDd-Saw and drawlng-knlfe He took these,
however, and out OF the long boards which
composed the bottom OF our bunk soon shaped
for US each pair OF snoW-ShoeS. They were
shaped So as to turn up at the front end. some
what like sleigh-runner; pieces of leather
were tackled across the center into which the
travellers feet are slipped.
After you learn how to travel with these,
you find that the process Is similar to skating.
To the best of my recollection, at my first eS-
say felt much as should suppose toad
would feel on stills After series of evolu-
tons that would puzzle professional acrobat,
i got fairly under way. l can give you no idea
OF the exhilaration produced by wild. frenzied
rush through the air, as it were, upon snow
shoes. | started down slight slope OF the
mountain with no ambition to outrun the wind,
or Professor Snow-shoes" either l can assure
You. 1t was glorious. so thought, as sailed
along at moderate speed, with no effort except
to try to guide the machine with the aid of
long, slim pole which Shoes" had loaned
me- but when 1 commenced going down a steep
side Of the mountain and shot forward like an
arrow from the strong bow of an archer. it was
no longer so glorious. The velocity with which
| Travelled was marvellous / was unable to
Gle arly distinguish objects which passed. An
occasional pine tree shot past me with zip
like cannon ball and made my brain whirl.
Down | went, faster and faster. IShOt across
table-land or level space at speed somewhat
a6ated, then / started up a slope OF the mount
ain, then came to steep place and then my
Snow-shoes stopped, but went on head fore
most into snow bank, so deep that my feet
seemed to be the only part OF my person was
able TO move. Indeed, was so deeply buried
in the snow that only my feet stuck out. l
couldn't breathe or move, so tight was wedged
in. / exerted every effort. but it was utterly
In vain. and realized that death would ensue
in very few moments. | tried to call for
help, but could not produce sound. When all
hope had vanished, and felt my brain reeling,
some one began to tug at my feet and In ano-
Their moment l was brought to light again.
Old "SnOw-shOeS" had followed me and got to
me justin time to save my life for the second
time. One hour later we were all safe In the
camp.