Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-12-19


sheep ranch. Seeing my fire, the proprietor
made me visit SWELL" said he, @you've
chosen not over nice place to spend the
night in. You're right in the track of the
bears. They've killed twentysix of my sheep
within the last two weeks. Guess you'd bet
ter come and sleep in my barn on the hay"
Which did. A pile Of loose hay, with a
blanket atop Of it, was a luxurious exchange
from the hard ground with only blanket
atop Of that.
Was. l afraid in these sohtudesl Yes, |
was often. never rested securely at night,
dreaded the darkness and was very glad to
see the mornings light. What was afraid
OF don't know exactly. Perhaps every
thing in general and nothing in particular.
IL my dog muffed and growled, which be
would at times do during the night, was in
dread OF whatever he was snuffing or growl-
ing at, were 1t beast, reptile or Indian. Were
Indians about Yes, but deemed friendly.
These were the Utes. They had been hostile
TO the whites few years previous, and what
was easier than for Il wandering party of
them TO make away with q lone wanderer
like myself for the sake Of my horse,
gun, blankets, kit and pocket moneys
Many a skeleton, to be found years
hence, lays to-day where the robbers,
either white or copper colored, left it. / al
ways gave Mr. Indian a wide berth when ]
saw the smoke Of his camp fire, though in
reality there was no more to dread from him,
perhaps not so much, as from the white
skinned dssperadoes liable to be met in the
territory Of Nevada at that time What boy
or man need most to guard against in camp
ing out Is taking cold from sleeping on the
damp ground. People accustomed all their
lives TO warm, dry and comfortable beds can
not safely make the change to a nights rest
in one or even two pairs Of blankets on or
near the ground with safety. So much damp
ness near you will draw the heat from your
body at the time when it is most easily
drawn away and is most needed-that is
during sleep. So by all means follow the In
dian fashion and sleep with your feet as near
the fire as possible was careless and igno
rant then Of the proper manner Of taking
care Of myself and suffered good deal
often slept cold, and woke up at 8 or 4 in the
morning chilled through. Next day would
find myself without strength, dull and lack
ing spring in my muscles. That meant had
lost more strength than had gained during
lived at all through this long continued and
ignorant abuse Of myself. Once became so
weak as not to be-able to stir for three days
from a camp ground. made a sort Of shell
ter Of one pair Of blankets, built my fire at
one end Of it and staid there. The wind
changed about fifteen times a day, blowing
the smoke from my fire through the shelter.
would then crawl out and build the fire at
the other end. Hardly had done 80 before
the wind would again shift, blowing the
smoke and ashes in upon me as before. This
was during June. There was a snow squall
every day-a common occurrence in that
high altitude. My perch in that camp was
about 5000 feet above the sea level. Very
warm weather never came there.
suffered also, and ignorantly, from the
poor food was obliged to live on A con-
slant diet Of bread, bacon, beef or game
without fruit or vegetables is another source
Of dullneSS and heaviness to the body, and
campers out are very apt to live mainly on
such food. You can't do so and be very well.
This is not picturesque phase Of life under
the trees, but the sooner u boy learns to take
some thought about what he eats and how it
affects him, the sooner is he on the right road
to get the most good out Of life.
Prentice MILFORD.