The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-31
A BOLD CLAIM-JUMPER.

We pledged each other-mine and thine
Yet, thus, more bitter are the lees.
A BOLD CLAIM JUMPER.
How Skunk Took Possession Of Mine.
From the Salt Lake Tribune.]
On one December, the 29th, Ben
Hinson and I went to our Fairy Belle
mining claim to do our assessment
work for the year. We lad to do it by
the 31st or the claim would be Jump
able. We had found silver in this
claim, also gold, and on that morning
discovered so netting else. We found
skunk.
We had tunneled in forty feet on
the vein, and upon the hillside had
sunk shaft which, at the depth of
twenty feet, connected with the end of
the tunnel. On reaching the tunnel
Ben went in first, and returned as if he
had been shot out. I thought perhaps
he had found a grizzly inside. He said
it was something worse.
We consulted as to what we should
do. Neither of us had ever had
hand-to-hand encounter with skunk.
We felt our inexperience. We consid-
cred the Fairy Belle valuable, and
were anxious to do our assessment
work. We thought if we threw stones
into the tunnel he would resent it with
all his might. We concluded to fire
our pistols in his direction. Though
he was not in sight, a shot might kill
him with such suddenness that he could
not return the fire. Twelve shots were
fred, nervously. We feared sally
from the enemy. Silence. Immense
volumes of dense quiet hung about the
place. He must have fallen. 1 sug-
gested to Ben that he go in, as he knew
where the skunk was to be found. He
suggested that I 60 in, as didn't kn ow
where the skunk was to be found. We
deliberated. We wavered. Ben said
If I would clasp my hand in his and 20
in he would. We started in thus, like
twin brothers. My heart was not full
OF that clinging affection for Ben that
one should feel for twin brother. I
felt that might at any moment desert
him. He, too, doubtless, felt an alb
sence of that undying brotherly love
which brooks no parting. He was
ready to sunder family ties. We adj
vanced. The suspense was burden
some. The situation was grave. Turn
ing point, we suddenly came upon the
enemv. His battle-f flag was flung to the
breeze. Ben fed. I chided him for
his cowardice. I stayed a moment.
Had fallen down over some rocks.
Chided him while was getting up. I
reached the mouth of the tunnel but
moment after Ben, but could not see
him at first. He was in the top of
tree. 1 was angry, and cried:
Coward! What did you desert for ?"
How could I help you fight stink?
My nose couldn't have helped yours2"
But there was no odor yet. The
skunk was reserving his fire until the
fight grew close-until we clinched.
Our side didn't want to clinch.
We consulted for the remainder of
that day. On the 3Oth I proposed that
one of us should let the other down
the shaft with a rope, and the one let
down could start the skunk toward
the mouth of the tunnel. I told Ben
that, being heavier and stronger than
he, I would let him down. He said
he would rather let me down; that he
felt quite strong that day and unusu-
ally heavy. I twitted him with run
ming out of the tunnel prematurely
on the day before. Spoke of my dar-
ing in lingering after his fight. He
didn't know 7 had fallen down in the
tunnel. He concluded to descend the
shaft. As lowered him his face was
pale and anxious. he disappeared in
the tunnel. I could hear @shoo, shoe"
spoken in hesitating way. Then q
timid "scat, scat" I tied my end of
the rope to tree, and went toward
the mouth Of the tunnel to see the
skunk go out. In moment I heard
q shrek of terror, and rushed back
to the shaft. Ben was half way up
the shaft, climbing the rope frantical-
". Something else had got all the
way up the shaft. It was an odor,
tough and thick, overbearing and dis
gustingly familiar on short acquain-
tance. The top of my head felt as il
1t was being gradually but powerfully
pried of. spoke to Ben, who had
scrambled out of the shaft: sDid il
hit you?" He did not answer imme-
diately. Hewas holding his nose with one
hand, while he waved the other in front
OF his face as if parting something.
He answered:
Not-not- specially" He was gasp
ing. "But-you see generally-he's
hit everything about here"
Holding our noses we walked of
about a quarter of mile to consult.
Ben remarked as he let loose his nose
Hes thunderin' big
We went quarter of a mile further,
when Ben continued:
"He's thunderin' big one"
How larger"
"'Bout the size of Newfoundland
dog. He must have barrel of it; he
amt stingy either"
We camped that night a half mile
away from the Fairy Belle. On the 31st
Ben said.
Let's try it again; he must be dead
now"
Dead! Did you hit him?"
No; but do you think he could
stand all that?"
All what2"
THAI