Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1885-02-14

How n PrOspectOr Smoked out a
swarm.
PIzEN SWITCH, Feb. I'D, 1885.

u
ED. TIMEs:-While Jim and were
prospecting in the range Of mountains
lying between Walker River and Walk
er Lake, we took the east side of Mount
Ballay and travelled east towards the
lake. After travelling about four miles
from the summit we came to a fine
spring Of water, which was very clear
and very cool. The bunch grass there
abouts was abundant, and we took the
pack from our horse and concluded to
camp and prospect the surrounding
country. Our camp was within half
mile of the beautiful lake, which is
twenty-five miles long and twelve miles
wide. The water Of the lake is so clear
that person can see fish swimming at
a depth of forty feet. After building a
fire to cook dinner, we noticed great
many bees flying around. Jim profess
ed TO be bee sharp, and said he
thought there was a hive near by, and
that he would prospect for it. He
started Immediately after dinner and
followed the bees in an easterly direc-
ton. remained in camp and began
to fix up our quarters. In about an
hours time Jim returned, saying he had
discovered the largest bee hive in the
world He said that the mountain was
perpendicular at the lake and about one
hundred feet obove the water; that the
bees had hive in cave about thirty
FIVE feet from the top of the bluff. He
proposed that we take some of the sui
phur specimens that we had brought
from Santa fe district, make a smoke
and drive the bees out of the cave, and
also porposed that | being the lightest
should be lowered with rope to the
mouth of the cave. Not knowing much
about bees, only that they made honey,
| agreed TO this and we left camp with
rope, camp kettle to put the sulphur
in and bucket for the honey. Arriv.
ing on the edge of the bluff about 2
O'Clock all arrangements were soon
made and was swinging in the air
over the water. Jim lowered me very
slowly and finally reached the mouth
of the cave. | followed for Jim to hold
steady, that was low enough. The
bees came out in swarms and | thought
there were millions Of them. took a
look into the cave and saw tons of hon
ey, the combs being built all around
the walls from the floor up 10 the cell
ing. / gave myself SWING SO that |
could place the bucket of smoking sui
phur in the cave, and Immediately out
came more bees, SO thick that they dar.
kened the sun above me. They rose in
the air and started for Jim IN bee line.
heard him give a scream and immedi-
ately felt myself going through the air.
Jim had let go of the repe. Fortunate
ly | struck the water feet first. The
water is very deep here and must have
gone down 40 feet. thought that
would never reach the surface again but
fate favored me, and when | came up
saw a cotton wood log about ten feet
distant which had dnited down the NV
er TO the lake. swan to it and man.
aged to regain my breath. | took in
the situation and saw that would have
to swim long distance before | could
reach place where | could climb upon
dry land. think must have been in
the water for nearly three hours, for up
on gaining landing | was SO numb
from being in the cold water that | could
scarcely walk; but after exercising a
while | began to feel more comfortable
! travelled until was almost worn out
when | came in view of a camp fire. 1t
nerved me up, so that managed to
reach 1t; and there | found Jim sitting
by the hre with his head all swollen up
and singing to himself in the manner OF
the Indians when chanting death song.
As came nearer | stepped in a dry
branch, which broke and made a noise.
jim looked up, gave howl and started
on run. called to him to stop but
just then he stumbled on some limbs
and fell down. When he came towards
me he said he thought he had seen my
ghost, and was very glad to learn that
| was still alive. The next morning we
packed up and started for Pizen Switch
where we arrived that night. Jim is
still in Leavitt's hospital under the care
OF the DR.. He says he does not want
anything more 10 do with bees. | have
new "pard, now and we are rinking
an incline to the cave, and expect to
ship carloads Of honey over the c. &
c., next Summer, and any order you
send will be filled without cost by
PROSPECTOR,