The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-08-17
Floating on q Hollow Log.

H
IN 1840, a party of young men from
/ Western Pennsylvania reached Cali
fornia, and disposing of their animals,
provided themselves with the usual out
fit for the diggins and with unabated ar
dor commenced delving for the precious
metal. The luck of thousands attended
them. Now their hopes would be at the
fever point at the discovery of o few
shining grains, and again they would
toll for days without being rewarded by
a single grain of hope. Thus they
worked week after week, and month af-
ter month until the winter passed, and
the spring dswned upon them. They
had prosecuted their labors in every spot
near them, yet with miserable success
and upon holding a consultation 1t 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 search through the noun
tains in that vicinity. The streams
were turned aside, and their beds exam
ined; and in wild, rocky gorges, 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 labors were
rewarded. Their success was quite good
and they were comparatively well re-
warded. They remained here several
months, until the summer was far ad-
vanced, and, strangely enough, were
undisturbed 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 different direction from his COM
panion, and determined to improve his
time to the utmost.
1t is our purpose to follow the adven-
lures of but one of the ecompany-G George
Ellis, who in one short week, expert
enced enough to fill 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
William Trenck-was known. He
had been discovered lying at the foot of
tree with q 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 destroyers. AL
though the miners hoped for 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 day or two beyond the
appointed time, they finally bade fare
well to the camping-ground and all
hopes of their companion.
Ellis was the best hunter and the
most reckless of his party, and, without
hesitation, he struck off in northeast
erly direction, toward Oregon Territory,
and before he was aware of it, he had
reached that portion of the country in
habited 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
derings without meeting with any event
worthy of note, when late one afternoon
he discovered that he was in coun-
try inhabited by numerous Indians
Their signs were all around him, and he
found that the utmost caution was nee
essary 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.
Somewhese near midnight he sudden
ly awoke, apparently without cause, yet
as he affirmed, with strange PRESENT.
ment of impending danger, which he
could not shake off. When he awoke it
was not as person generally does, but
in an immediate state of consciousness
and as he cautiously arose to his feet,
he felt the presence of some foe. There