The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-06-04
EBENSBURG. PA. FRIDAY, JUNE 4. 1880
AN ADVENTURE IN THE FAR WEST.
BY GEORGE W. ABBEY.

BY GEORGE W. ABBEY
It was in the last week Of June, 1879 l
left Gother, new mining town on the East
Fork of the Grand Pie, place which takes
its name from the peculiar shape OF the
mountains which surround it, to prospect on
the west side Of the main range as far north
as Eagle Pine. We left GOther by trail
leading north up Copper Creek, which heads
in the Maroon mountains opposite the head
of a creek of the same name which flows
north into the Roaring Fork of the Grand
Pie. Much as I love the grand old Sierras,
the span called the Maroon mountains has,
to me, something peculiarly attractive about
it, being nearly as high as the highest peaks
in the range. Il takes its name from the
color of the rock of which it is composed,
being above timber of bright maroon color,
interspeTsed with a lighter-colored strata,
which dips slightly to the west. The inroads
Of time and the decomposng elements have
worn away the rock, leaving the distant peaks
in the shape Of pyramids, steeples, dOmes and
towers which compare in beauty and gran
deur with the finest architectural work of
human hands.
1t being late when l left GOther l did not
cross the divide over on to Maroon creek un-
I'll the next morning. While on the range
above timber line | discovered that the tim
Der was on fire six or eight miles lower down
the creek. Our party pushed along as fast
as the unfavOrable condition of the trail and
country would permit. Toward the middle
of the afternoon we went into camp in lit
tie willowy fiat about three-fOurths of a mile
from where the fire was sweeping everything
before it. The fire was much nearer to us on
the east side of the stream than on the west,
so | started down on the west side to see
what the chances were for getting through
below it. We had not gone very far when l
discovered that the fire had crossed the creek
behind us, and we had 10 make our best time
back to prevent being surrounded. By the
next morning the fire had sufficiently con-
sumed the timber along the stream so that it
was possible to get below it, ana we travelled
along for several miles down the canyon,
when we discovered another burning district
below us. We came. to another wiilowy flat
Of about an acre at noon, so we unpacked
our animals to give them chance to Craze,
while we ate lunch preparatory to pushing
our way through and beyond the fire After
stopping an hour or so, we saddled up and
started. Matters at first seemed favorable,
as the wind had gone down and the fire did
not seem to be rs furious as it was short
time before. When we left camp our trail
led along the side Of the mountain, a little
way from the creek, which entered anarTow
dcfIe below US. Before we had gone half
mile we got into the fire, which had first fed
upon the fallen timber and dead trees, the
latter constantly falling around us. The
ground in places was covered with dry pine
leaves and boughs to the depth of four or five
inches, which were soon in flames, and so
burned our horses feet that l thought best TO
dismount and 90 it on foot, We travelled as
fast as we could, hoping to get past the fire
as soon as possible. The heat was growing
intense, and it soon became so hot for us we
could go no farther. We concluded to grin
and bear it until it had burned itself out. but
suddenly the wind sprang up, and in an in
slant almost everything seemed agiOw with
fire. The place where we stood, and which
moment before was bed of smouldering
cmbcrs, now became a Kissing. cracking
mass Of burning Goals In moment our
pack mule gave up and fell down by the side
OF burning log. The pack lashed to him
was soon afire. l had been foolish enough
to take with me into this place a sixteen
pound can Of blasting powder, wrapped in
guuny-sack, which ! had strapped to that
mule. Here vas new and terrible danger
threatening us How to get the can of pow
der off that mule before some flying spark
should reach it was our first thought. Every
moment was fraught with terror, for if it
should explode while we were hemmed in
with fallen timber on every side some lives
might be sacrificed. The anxiety to save our
property made Us hazard the effolt We
tried our mightiest for a while to.remove the
pack, but it was no use as the pesky critter
was lying on the lash ropes. So we left him
TO mis- fate and moved along a little to await
the explosion, which we thought sure must
come very soon.
| confess | felt no little curiosity as to
where the biggest part of that mule would
land when the upheaval took place, and as
we stood around joking about this most Sc
rious matter-serious not TO the mule alone.
but TO ourselves as welI-we failed to notice
that the wind had freshencd into gale and
that the fire was sweeping through the foliage
of the pine and spruce trees under which we
had taken shelter Sprigs of fire were torn
from the burning wood and blown in show
ers, which kept us busy knocking away the
hot embers that fell upon us. Our horses
suffered terribly, and it was as much as we
could do to keep them from rushing head
long down the mountain. They loundered
around as if they were possessed bv evil
spirits. l expected every moment they
would 90 down. The old fellow who ,,,ay
with me seemed to feel the effects of the fire
and smoke more than any Of us. and kept
gasping out ooh, my lungs; my lungs p
until his lamentations became most Ditiabla
To proceed on our way was impossible. to
remain where we were was certain death.
Our only way Of retreat was past that mule,
Imagine the situation if you can. The mule
had fallen so as to completely block the way,
and at any moment that can of powder might
go off, and two to one everything within
radius of Il hundred feet would be blown to
pieces. I waited a few moments for the ex-
plO.ion, which did not come The heat was
getting terrible. l was compelled to keep
my eyes partly closed to save my sight Nv
whole body grew numb and heavy and my
throat parched. I realized that it had be-
come with us q matter Of lie or death, and
some bold effort must be made 10 get out of
this hellish corral, or we would suffocate.-
All this came 10 me soohcr than I can tell
you, and the resolution was as quickly acted
upon. l handed the reins Of my horse to 4
and started for the spot where
we mad left the mule lying. To my surprise
he had regained his feet, but some part of