The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-09-22
ADINNER OF NETTLES.
Joe Bunker, with his family Joined wagon


train going overland to California I'm 1852.
He had canvas-covered wagon, and q spa
of the wiekedest. most forlorn looking mule
that you could well imagine. In the WACO
was packed all his earthly possessions. In
Guiding wife and four children.
There was also of his party an Irish la
named Kelly, who had been but short tim
In this country, and who left a life of miser
in Ireland, in hopes OF lettering himself herr
Bunker's load had been too heavy at tn
stnrt for the mules to draw, and keep up wit
the rest, SO at the first stoppage he auctione,
of what could be best spared, for any sum b
could get.
After that all went well for many days
Then one morning when they were prepar
ing for start, one of the mules gave an ex
hibition of temper that was APPALLING. H
kicked and plunged about, biting and kick
ing at everyone who tried to approach him
ending the matter by throwing himself in
such a way as to put one shoulder out Of
joint.
Then he was meek as a lamb while the mel
put it in place, but when the harness was put
on him. and he was hitched to the wagon he
absolutely refused to pull pound, and after
bothering for several honrs, Bunker was
forced to stand and see the rest of the train
disappear in the distance without him
The children cried londly, Mrs. Bunker
quietly wiped her eyes, while Tom Kelley
who had emphatically refused to go on with
the rest, muttered, bad cess till the bother
in creature. Av we lave our bones between
this an the big rocks, it's him as will be till
blame"
Bunker himself looked glum, and blamed
fhn.4 e.
visions were getting scarce, and the Indians
had driven pretty much all the game from
their route. Grave fears were entertained OF
suffering ROM hunger ere their destination
was reached, even at the best rate of speed
they could make.
As soon as the train disappeared. Tim and
Bunker fixed their camp for a comfortable
stay. There was a scant growth of timber,
and a clear stream of water ran merrily by.
1t was July, and the weather was fine.
Fourdays passed quietly and uneventfully,
and by constant application of cold water,
the beasts shoulder was so far improved,
that, though doubtful of the wisdom of the
move, Bunker hitched up and slowly started
along the trail.
For two days they journeyed on,
then the folly of starting so soon be-
came apparent. The mules shoulder be-
came badly swollen, and the third morning he
laid down when Tim aud Bunker tried to
harness him, and all their efforts were of no
avail to induce him to rise.
They had camped for the night, long
ways from water, and our travellers were
about discouraged What they used that
day was brought by Tim from little lake
nearly mile away.
Next morning they managed to remove to
the vicinity of the lake. made themselves as
comfortable as was possible, and waited with
as much patience as they could for the time
when they could make another start.
More than week went by. Rain fell
heavily for two days. and you can well an
derstand how uncomfortable our friends
were.l
Provisions became scarce, and there was
no game about They had reached a region
where there was timber, not heavy, but con-
tinuous, and when one day the children
asked for food and there was none to give
them, Bunker put the harness upon the mules
and started on.
The day was overcast and cloudy, and
without much thought. he started upon a
course he was sure would intersect the trail
followed by the train. But after travelling
all day, and not fndingit, he became alarmed.
solitary jack rabbit furnished them with
meal, and next morning he undertook to
retrace his way.
His wagon was lightly loaded, and the
ground very hard in places, so no impression
was made, visible to inexperienced eyes, and
after q few hours Bunker was forced to &C
knowledge himself hopelessly lost.
He knew he had gone south of the trail to
encamp near the lake, so when the sun came
OFT, he took his bearings, and turning due
north, journeyed on.
So for days. A few birds, shot now and
then, kept life in their bodies, but at last it
seemed they must starve.
"If no food is found by noon to-day" de-
clared Bunker on the morning of the tenth
day of their wanderings, II shall kill one of
the mules"
His heart was wrung by the sight of. his
children's sufferings, and although he knew
upon the mules depended their ever getting
to place of safety, he determined to sacri-
flee them, rather than to see the little ones
starve. All the forenoon, he and Tom
tramped the woods on each side of the route
pursued by the wagon, on the alert for any
thing which would do for food.
Ten o'clock.
Bunker looked at his watch and q look of
stern determination came over his face, but
he continued on, gun in hand, his watchful
eye searching every grove and thicket as he
passed them.
They were just entering small clearing,
and Bunker was assuring the poor children
that they should soon have food, when
great shouting was heard in advance, which
caused the mules to quicken their pace, and
aroused the attention of all.
"0ch, Misther. Bunkyl but here's the foine
atein' intirely! Faithen Wen not be stharvin'
nowi Make haste wild q foire, an get the
pot forninst it, en- Wen have taste fit for
king!''
He was capering and shouting so excitedly
that all peered eagerly about for sight Of
the promised food, but there was apparently
nothing visible near him but an immense bed
of nettles
Close by was the ruins of log cabin, it's
blackened condition showing plainly by
what agency it had been destroyed beau
tiful spring of water dubbed from among
the roots Of a towering pine, and danced
away across the clearing 1t was a
lonely but beautiful place. and had
been happy home perhaps, one day.
When the children could see no food they
began to cry in a disappointed way.
"Arrah now hush up wild vel Wen soon
have We filed to your mouth wild good ate
in"
Then while they oil looked ON in bewildered |
surprise, he quickly built fire, and hung a
kettle over it. Then he put in some water |
from the spring, a handful of salt and pro-
ceedcd to crowd the kettle full of the tender |
est shoots of the nettles, poked the fire until |
it blazed right merrily, then leaving his |
greens" to cook, sat down beside the fret
ting children and began telling them wonder /
full stories of life in "Oireland," until in /
at his droll speeches, they almost /
forgot their hunger.
This he kept NJ for half an hour, peeping |
into the kettle, whose contents |
steamed right merrily, and keeping the fire |
roaring. At the end OF that time, he dished /
outa quantity of well-cooked greens, and in
vited them to partake.
All did so, and found the queer
food very satisfying, if not very pal
atable When asked by Mrs Bunker
how he knew nettles were good to eat Tim
replied, mournfully:
Dear lady, yenever stharved in Oirland or
We wud never ask"
Camp was made, and in the afternoon Tim
oil by bringing in hatful ofpota-
toes which he had found in what had once
been garden, and Bunker shot jack rab-
bit. PoSr children! How greedily they
watched .hefood asst cooked, and how eager
" tie little thin hands were outstretched to
,lutch a share when offered.
Next day refreshed and re-iHvigorated they
started on their way, and halfday's travel
brought them TO the camp of a long
wagon train, which was stopping for day to
rest and recruit their stock
Then Bunker received some information
that staggered him. He was more than q
hundred miles from the trail he had lost so
ong before. This train was en- route for Or
sgon, and rather than run the risk of getting
ost a second time in searching for the other
L. - - r. \ 4