The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-12-20


brook. Then we stopped again; and by
this time all three of us were little
frightened.
We've run off below the bend" Ben
| exclaimed; and then we tackled farther
| to the north.
should think we hurried on for ten
minutes again, as fast as we could run,
when we came suddenly on the brink of
deep gorge, which opened up to the
left on broad. frozen pond.
For minute or two we stood COM
pletely at loss. "That can't be Stoss
pond, can it?" Ben exclaimed.
"Well, it ISL said Al. "For there's
the log dam; and look, right down here
in the hollow's the camp where Adger
numbered winter before last. know it
by three big pines on the bank above it,"
"Then we're seven miles from homer
said I.
Eyes; and four or five miles north of
Dupham's open-instead of south of i'll"
exclaimed AL. "And here Ben thought
we were south of it!'
"How could / tell?" muttered Ben.
"Well. we cannot get the sheep and
get home to night" said.
I'VE can't even get home," Ben said.
"It'll be pitch dark in half an hour"
All was already running and sliding
down the steep side of the gorge. Come
on!" said he; ''let's get into the old
camp"
This camp stood on the bank of the
brook, little below the dam, and was
built of fir logs, with 70 of split shin
giles. It was fon rteen or fifteen feet
1uare, and had snfficed to lodge ten men
two winters before. Since tnen it had
been deserted.
There was no doubt that this was Adj.
ger camp; for l remember the three big
pines which stood on the bank, up fifteen
or twenty feet above the camp. The rea
son the lumbermen had not them was
because of the great "scalds" on the
trunks, caused by forest fires years be
fore. Either of the three trees was from
four to five feet in diameter; and they
were of great height. Besides these
trees, there stood with them the great
bare stub, forty or fifty feet tall, of an
other large pine.
Inside, the old shanty looked dark and
cheerless; and it had an unsavory odor.
1t did not have windows; q strong cleated
door, on wooden hinges, shut closely
enough to keep out the storm.
A rusty stove stood in one corner, with
still rustier funnel running up through
the low roof There was a greasy table,
made OF rough boards; and along the
back side extended bunk OF old vel.
lowed fir boughs, on which the men had
slept.
But any sort OF shelter looked inviting
to rs that night, with the storm incrsss-
ing and the wind rising. We entered,
and then began searching to see what
the former occupants had left behind
them in the way Of supplies" eatable
or otherwise.
There were Q number Of old axes; and
in q salt box there was q nearly entire
quarter gross Of matches. In another
salt box there was little salt; and in an
old nail cask there were tive or three
quarts Of "yellow.eyed" beans. That
was all; no four, no pork.
"Weli. then, we'll have boiled beans
and salt!" AL exclaimed.
Ben split up three old benches, got
some branch hes outside, and built . fire;
and Al ran out to the brook and dipped
up water in the stove kettle. We soon
had beans cooking, but it took nearly
two hours to boil them soft.
1t was plain supper, beans and salt;
yet have eaten far less savory dishes.
By eight clock in the evening our appe-
tites had grown sharp enough not to be
squeamish.
It was rather cosy, too, round our hot
stove. We were little anxious because
our folks at home would be alarmed at
our not coming back; otherwise, We
should have felt rather jolly; for in tho
morning we had only to follow the brook
down to Durham clearing and could be
at home by noon. We little knew Of the
peril we we're in.
As there we're no coverlets or blankets
in the bunk, we decided that it would be
more comfortable to keep fire. So we
gathered branches outside. Al agreed
to keep awake and tend the fire for three
hours, as nearly a. he could guess, then
he was to call me. After taking my turn,
was to call Ben.
1t was growing cold fast, and the snow
beat into the camp, under the door, and
through chinks betwixt the logs where
the moss ':stufiing" had fallen out.
When AL walked me to take my turn ct
tending the stove, was shivering in
spite Of the fire, and the first thing / no
ticed, on waking, was the fearful rate ct
which the wind Was blowing. The woods
roared, and now and then came . gust
which made even that little low camp
shake and crack, and which sent tho fine
snow sitting in all ever us.
Its an awful night" eaid AL. "I've
heard ever 80 many trees fall, of in the