The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-01-16
ON A COWCATCHER.
LADY MAC0ONALO's RIDE ON THE
ROCKIES "GREAT DIVIDE"

Novelty, Excitement and q View of Mag
ntAcent scenery-How Several Wei
Regulated Young Men Were Aston
ished-A Thin, Melancholy American
'fIt is an awful thing to dor' I hear 6
voice say, as the little group lean forward
and for moment [ feel g thrill that is
very like fear; but it is gone at once, and
e91 think Of nothing but the novelty,
Tie excitement and the fun Of this mad
Eide N glorious sunshine and intoxicating
AaR, with magnificent mountains before
ard around me, their lofty peaks smiling
down on Us, and never a frOwn on their
grand faces.
The pace quickens gradually, surely,
swiftly, and then we are rushing up to the
summit. We soon stand on the 'tGreat
Divids"-5,3O feet above sea Ievel-be-
tween the two great oceans. As we pass,
Ar. E by gesture, points out small
river called Bath creek, 1 think which,
Issuing from a lake on the narrow sum-
mit level, winds near the track. I look,
and 10! the water flowing eastward to-
ward the Atlantic side, turns in moment
as Che Divide is passed, and pOurs west
ward down the Pacific slope.
Many tunnels lie in our way as we rush
By them, and during halt am told one
e the tunnels is 'Fwet." This being in
terpPeted means that the arching rock is
full OF springs, which pour on the train as
Il passes. An umbrella and waterproof
are therefore necessary for me-nOw sole
occupant Of the cowcatcher; and with
praiscworthy economy take off my hat
tack it safely under my wraps and
prepare to encounter the ''wet"
tnnnel thus equipped. We plunge into
a few moments darkness-water splash
frg and dripping on every side; and as we
emerge into the sunlight again and stop
just beyond the tunnel, see a party of
young English spOrtsmen standing near
the roadside They have evidently just
climbed the bank, guns in hand, leaving
large canoe with two Indian paddlers on
the lake below. Fine, tall, young Saxons
they are, In sporting attire somewhat the
worse for long travel, but very conven-
tdonsl in style notwithstanding. Just
imagine the feelings with which these
well regulated young men beheld lady,
b-reheaded and with an umbrella, seated
n front of an engine at the mouth of a
tunnel in the Gold Range of British
Columbial am sorely afraid I laughed
outright at the blank amazement of their
rosy faces and longed to tell them what
fun it was; but not being introduced you
know" contented myself with acknowl-
edEing their presence by q solemn little
bow-wh1ch was quite irresistible under
the circumstances.
A MELANCHOLY AMERICAN
A somewhat similar incident occurred
next day during our journey in the valley
of the Fraser river The special stopped
at station where q mule train was just
starting for some distant gold mines,
lRden with miners supplies It was very
Interesting to see the sturdy animals all
peaked and ready, standing in regular
eTder, waiting for the word of command
&Ha(1N1a AHnNfva 1w4rx
O6eyed, al fling along st equal distances
with the air of quad dpeds of superior
intelligence, who had made up their minds
70 avoid hurry or confusion. 1t CHANGED
- be one Of our halts at tea time, and, as
usual, my cup of tea and slice Of bread
and butter were brought to the buffer
beam l had just been presented with
Two large bou4uetS,-which lay in my lap. /
Wh1le 1 leisurely slipped my tea, there
suddenly appeared before noe a very thin, /
tai, melancholy looking American, having (
something to do with the pack train now I
slowly winding off through the noun .
tAfnS. Never shall | forget the expression
q that mans face as he steadily regarded
Me, seated compOsedly on the cow
catcher, surrounded with flowers, a plate !
Ct bread and butter on a candle box near
-, taking afternoon tea. To remain ST
e0e was impossible.
Good evening" / said.
TIE man nodded and drew a long
breath.
Have you come far?'' he asked after q
kzaR pause.
From the other side OF the Rockies
answered carelessly, az if speaking of q
eexon round vilage-''S0O miles or so. {"
did You come that way down the
4Acnpson" he next asked, little anx-
Rusly.
fo &ha
"Yeu amt afraid, likelyy' he continued.
locking more melancholy than ever.
mot at ALL
New look here" he said, pausing be-
tween each word, ''its real dangerous.
would not do this thing for lot of
Iaeneyp Then, thrusting his hands into
bis pockets, with a civil Good evening,
4issis, " he disappeared round the engine.
Lady Macdonald in Murray's Magazine