Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-19
UP 4 TREE.

No one in Samamos could ever understand
what pleasure Arthur Pervis and l found in
taking long walks or why we should do So
when we might just as Wen ride.
Everybody else, like most Californians,
went on horseback whenever it was possible,
and stroll to the postoffice or along the
beach was the utmost extent Of pedestri-
anisIn.
But Arthur and l tramped the country in
al directions, as we used 10 do at home. pay
ing little attention TO the mild surprise of the
winter sojOurners, who wondered at our &c
centricity, and still less to the scornful aston
tshment of the natives, who can conceive but
one reason why any one should 90 on foot
that be is too poor to buy or hire horse.
One morning we started out on an expedi-
ton to the Hot Spring canyon, IN the mount
aims some six miles from town, intending to
get our lunch at the hotel there, and after
ward to spend the rest of the day IN climbing
the mountains above, toward which we had
always looked Iongingly during previous Wis
its to the place.
Of we went, at our customary road pace
of four miles an hour, between the pepper
tree hedges Of the town and out into the open
country, where green grass aud growing
crops made 1t hard to realize that the month
was winter one, and that our New England
homes were srnothered in snow, with the
Thermometer very likely down below zero.
In fact, it might have been a little cooler
without any objection from Us, for the warm
sun and breezeless air soon worked their ef-
fects, and when we reached the little hotel
precisely an hour and a half after starting
our crimson faces, relieved and set off by
yellow dust, gave Us a startlingiY Indian
esque appearance. which our tremendous ap-
petites at lunch did not by any means Ill suit.
However, after an hour or two we were
ready for further operati0us-the more 50
since, the sky having become overcast, it was
much less warm than in the forenoon.
Looks as if the fog might come in later"
said the hotel keeper as we set out. Keep
an eye out for It, boys"
Arthur and laughed. We were both from
the eastern Maine sea coast, where for days
at a time you can't see across the street, so
thick is the mist and a light California fog
did not strike US Is very formidable
IAN right" we replied. If we see a recu-
lar 'Eastport smotherer' Eeaving in sight
Wen come back"
And, with another laugh, we began scran-
bling up the deep slope, leaving our host
gazing doubtfuIy after as long as be could
see Us
must say that more decaitful mountain
than that couldn't be found anywhere. 1t
hadn't appeared very lofty when looked at
from below, but the longer we climbed the
higher it seemed to grow, and there were 50
many ridges and gulhes crossing its side
that, what with going up one and down
another, we must have gone nearly twice as
Tar as if the activity had been smooth.
This is more of job than l thought"
pulled arthur while we were resting at the
end OF the first hour
y should say so, assented I. looking up
toward the top-or rather looking where l
supposed it to be, for another Of those pro
voking ridges barred the way and shut OF
every glimpse of what might be beyond.
If we don't hurry continued Arthur, re-
luctantly rising from the bowlder be had been
sitting upon, Il don't believe we shall get
there in time, for it grows dark early, you
know, and | wouldn't be caught up here after
sunset for a good deal"
"Same with me. The landlord says there
are no end of gulches and precipices all
around, and we might easily tumble in or off
one Yes we must hurry"
So off we started up the ridge, finding on
crossing il, that there were as usual, more
of the same kind vet TO be passed, running in
all directions and pretty thickly covered with
Chaparral and stunted trees-a mixture of
rocks, brush and steep banks anything but
pleasant to contemplate for those who must
either get through it or else turn back
But neither of Us being of the turning back
sort, we plunged into the labyrinth, with the
result that after half an hours hard strug-
Cling, We simultaneously stopped and turned
70 each other in complete bewlderment.
Arthur, / think we're lost.
"And I'm sure Of it, sam"
Well that was Just the state Of the case.
We hadn't the remotest idea where We were,
nor which way 10 60
Nothing was to be seen but sharp pima
cies or long ridges divided by deep. narrow
EovCes. shut in with bushes, and generally
obscure aud confusing.
Then, for the first time. We perceived that .
the SKY was covered with driving gray scuds. .
hvinE SO low as TO almost touch the tree .
tops.
Were done for" said Arthur, resirued]v. .
The fog's coming, and il half an hour we
might be blind, for all the good our eyes Viii .
do us
"Oh. not 50 bad as that, said I "TheSe
fogS are nothing TO what we've been usad 10. - .
Perhaps not; but you'll dnd that this one +
will be enough and 70 spare, down here IN
these gulcheS, with night coming On, be-
sides."
There was something IN thar-a great deal .
too much, IN foct-aud the question arose,
what were we gong TO do2
we must 80 down and get as far Is We
can before we have 10 stop Then We must
wait till we can see again
Which may rot be tl tomorrow morn .
ing
we can't help that. Let's so back toward .
the base
But which way Is that5'
'Dout know Come on
And, with ,his unprcmiSinS speech, Arthur .
lei the way in the direction We had come, .
hoping 70 be able 70 retvace our course.
followed, though without any great con-
fdence in his success, for we had become
very thoroughly lost before being willing 70 /
acknowledge it, and might have Travelled in
circles ever since getting into the broken
ground.
We had not gone far before the streamers
Of vspor began floating around US Ike
wreaths Of steam They Grew longer and
more numerous, until, without showing when
or nov Il ha00zae1. We found ourselves