Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-03-30

On the second day Of their journey,
when they had not Jet reached the
Place where they had to leave then
"Jacks" and proceed on foot, there
came down over the travellers heavy
mist, not uncommon on the mountains,
and soon after the snow began to fall,
very lightly at first, and then more
heavily. The trail, which had not
been very distinct before, began to be
almost hidden from view. But the sa-
gacious animals seemed by some in
stinct to pick out the true path, and
the journey was still slowly continued.
One of the animals, however, wandered
little from the path In the afternoon,
and stepping on loose rock near the
edge OF steep ravine, slipped and
rolled over and over down the bank,
and was seen no more. A hearty curse
from the lips of Sandy Joe greeted this
mishap, but the journey was continued.
The path began to grow sleeper, and as
the snow began to be piled up before
the travellers it became almost impos-
sible to go on. Joe, who was good.tem-
pered enough when everything went
well, began now to show signs of in
creasing ill-temper. He cursed and
swore at the storm and snow, and then
would subside into moody silence. He
beat with merciless blows the heavily
laden s'Jack," that struggled along on
its hard journey. It became evident
at length that the meu could not reach
the camp to which they were bound by
walking, and the animal was unloaded,
and it was decided that the men should
take turns in riding till their destina-
ton was reached. But five or six
miles now lay between the men and the
cluster OF cabins where they hoped to
find aid, but the darkness was already
coming on, and the way was getting
almost impossible.
Joe insisted upon taking the first
turn in riding, and Dayton allowed him
to mount. In this way about mile
was passed over, when Dayton, almost
overcome with fatigue, called upon his
companion to dismcunt and exchange
places. The way at that point was mar
row and led alongside of steep incline
on the mountain side. Joe, who was
riding ahead, stopped when he heard
his companion call, and allowed Day
ton to come up to him, as if to allow
him to take the animal. Then sudden
ly bending over, Joe drew from his
belt long knife and plunged it into
his partners breast.
"There," said he, sas we can't both
get through to the camp, I won't be the
one that's left behind" and then giving
poor Bob a push over the edge of the
bank, the assassin rode on.
The wounded man rolled down the
stony side Of the mountain, the kindly
snow shielding his body from some of
the sharp boulders, till the gradual
declivity down which he was precipita
ted changed to steep precipice. over
the edge of which he plunged on to q
level surface several feet below. Stun
ned as he was by his wound and fall, he
was still able, on looking around him,
to see in the side of the precipice a
large opening like the entrance OF cave,
and with the instinct OF self-preserva-
ton, he dragged himself thither, and
succeeded in reaching this shelter from
the storm before he tainted away, yer
come by the loss OF blood.
Meanwhile, Sandy Joe struggled on
his way, and by using the animal as far
as it would go, and then leaving it in a
snow-drift while he continued on foot,
finally reached the little camp to which
he was bound. He told his tale of the
great dangers he had endured. but
without mentioning his companion, and
received sympathy and attention from
the miners.
The morning sun was just darting his
straight beams from the eastern sky
across the valley and into the interior
of the mountain cave when Bob Dayton
awoke from his sleep of exhaustion.
The storm had cleared from the noun
tain, and as the shining rays' were cast
upon the interior wall Of the cave, Bob,
lying with his eyes just opened and too
weak to feel . disposition to rise, no
ticed CLEANS of light where some bright
substance reflected the sunlight. With
difficulty he made his way on his hands
and knees towardon of these points Of
light, and taking the glittering object
in his hands, found, with trembling de
light, that it was bit of native wire sill
yer, such as is found sometimes even on
the surface over rich Colorado mines.
On further examination he found rich
indications Of the same nature in va
rious parts Of the cave; and he was soon
aware that he had made one OF those
discoveries which incite so many to seek
their fortunes in the mining grounds Of
the West, and that are really SO infre-
quent and exceptional. The ambition
of his life was ACCOMPLISHED, and be