The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-03-31
ISBURG, PA. FRIDAY, MARCH 81, 1882

preciptated changed to a steep -precipice, !
over the edge of which he plunged onto a
level surface several feet below. Stunned as
he was by his wound and fall he was stil
able, on looking around him. to see in the
side of the precipice a large opening like the
entrance of a cave, and with the instinct of
self-preservation, he dragged himself thither
and succeeded in reaching this shelter from
the storm before he tainted away, overcome
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-drifi
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 Ell
dured. but without mentioning his compan-
ion, 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 noun
tain cave when Bob DAYTON awol<e from his
sleep of exhaustion. The storm had cleared
from the mountain, 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 a disposition to rise, noticed
CLEANS of light where some bright substance
reflected the sunlight. With difficulty he
made his way on his hands and knees toward
one Of these points of light, and taking the
glittering object in his hands, found, with
trembling delight, that it was bit Of native
wire silver, such as is found sometimes even
on the surface over rich Colorado mines. On
further examination he found rich indica-
tions of the same nature in various 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, AMI that are really so
infrequent and exceptional. The ambition
Of his life was accomplished, and he might
now, he felt, make home as rich and pleas
ant as he had imagined to which to take the
one he loved But while in the first joy of
his discovery he thus pleased himself with
grateful images of the future, there came to
him a new thought of his present situation,
which had for the moment passed from his
mind.
"Alas," said he. ''the willful fortune that
kept from ME the riches that / desired brings
them to me now when life itself seems doubt
ful, and when see no way to safety, weak
as / am and far from my rescue. Must I die
in the midst of this new-found wealth 81
Just as he was occupied with these thoughts
he heard noise in dark recess of the cave,
which he had not yet explored, and with a
snort, some animal that had apparently been
lying there, rose to its feet and came towards
the light. For a moment Bob thought it
might be one Of the few wild beasts which
are occasionally found in the mountains
but as it advanced he saw, to his Joy, that it
was roan-colored horse, such an one as he
had heard had been lost from Cedar GuIch
on these very mountains, and the very one
to which Col. Brown had alluded when he
talked to the loungers on the departure of
the miners. Poor Bob's heart fairly leaped
to his mouth at the hope of rescue presented
by the appearance of the horse, who had ap-
parently wandered into the cave to seek
/ shelter from the storm, and most opportune-
/ Iy presented itself.
! Bob took up and put in his pocket a few
( specimens of the silver bearing mineral
. about Kim, and leading the animal to the en-
trance of the cave, succeeded after several
efforts in getting on its back. The feeling
/ Of rider on its back brought the horse to
/ its habit of subsection, and almost without
direction it found its way back to the path.
/ and down the side Of Mount Shavano toward
} Cedar Gulch.
! The horrors of that journey to the rider it
would be hard to tell. His wound from
which the blood had ceased to flow, began to
bleed again somewhat, and was with diff
Guilty staunched. The weak man could
scarcely retain his position on the horses
| back, but with a brave determination and
strong will he kept his seat while the saga
cious animal descended the trail.
The evening had Just set in when Bob
tumbed fainting from the horse in front of
the Grand hotel. The rough but kind
hearted miners took him up and cared for
him till by skill and patience he was again
restored to strength. Sandy Joe, in the dis
tant camp, heard of his victims escape, and
quickly departed from that part of the coun-
try, and was afterward killed in fight with
a fellow outlaw. Bob recovered from his
wound, and before the winter snow had
melted from the mountains he had staked
out for himself a claim called THE Lizzie
Claim and including the cave where that
memorable night in his history was passed.
He is counted rich man in the possession
of this mine, now famous for its mineral
wealth, but he considers himself far richer
in the love of the woman now his bride, and
the two bright-eyed children growing up in
the C ircle of home
SARDTNE FISHERIES IN France Not