Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-05-27
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the mountains opposite me. supposed 1
must be near Harrington's and Of course
the main stream, on which stood our
mountain cabin.
Descending the mountain side, soon
reached its banks. and although it was
now dark. yet, BY the wintry starlight and
the snow, saw at once that it was not
Bear river. Nor did its banks show any
signs either of mining or Of any human
being having been there. Not tree had
been cut, not rock disturbed or foot of
soil removed, nor was there any sign OF
a path or a track of human foot.
Cold, wild and savage, the unbroken
wilderness gave no sign, and the gloom Of
the wintrv night made it still more wild
and lonely. IIavngno knowledge even
Of the existence Of "A stream in that lonely
locality, and supposing that there was none
between me and Bear River. | was Of
course bewildered, and realized at once
that I was lost, and could not tell my sur
roundings. first thought Of crossing the
stream and continuing on my course.
But there was no ''foot-log" or means Of
crossing, except by wading the ice-cold
water. And finding this unknown stream
in my course showed me that ] could not
be certain a. to that course being right.
And If wrong how was ! 90 track out a
new one, All these considerations |
thought over rapidly, and soon concluded
that my safest and best plan would be to
follow the stream to its mouth, or to some
camp, track or path.
was, Of course, excited when ! first
realized that ! had struck "A wild and I'M
known stream, OF whose existence ! had
never even heard, and that ] was lost in
those awful and untrodden wastes, covered
with snow, and in winter night without
covering. fire. food and shelter.
But did not feel much fatigucd. and,
as reflection seemed TO show that ! had
taken the wiscst and best course. | soon
found myself journeying down the stream
without much apprehension.
But difficulties seemed TO increase.
Logs. crags, rock and ravincs were in the
way, and further progress sometimes
seemed almost impossible, and was often
excessively laborious, and frequently
quite dangerous.
But persevered without dependency
sometimes loosening fragments OF rock
that would 90 laundering down the steep
moving mass OF small fragments of
slate-rock. but never seeing any sign of
life. except some little mountain bird oc-
casionally flying from ITS lodging in some
bush near which | was passing. or by
which some fragment of rock had rolled.
Thus | toilcd on mile after mile and
hour after hOur-dfliculties and dangers
seeming to increase rather than to dimn-
ish, yet feeling satisfied that was doing
the best that could be done. and would
find my way out all right. At length
saw that the little stream on my right be-
gan to break into small cascades every
few rods. and about the same time | heard
dull roaring sound on my left. Soon |
saw through the trees wild and. ut first,
bewilderng gimmer of white waters,
and ere long emerged from the gloomy
ravne or valley. and stood upon an open
point of land, with great roaring noun
tain torrent upon my left. and onmy right
beautiful cascade of about twenty feet
fall. formed by the small stream had
followed, and here leaped from its bed
into that Of the great torrent, that white
with foam, and roariA over the rocks,
numbered by on its rapid course, So |
had followed the course Of the unknown
stream to It's mouth without meeting any
signs of human being ever having been
there before me.