The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-11-22
UPA TREE.


MEverybody else, like most Cali
fornians went on horseback whenever
it was possible, and a stroll to the
post-office or along the beach was the
utmost extent of pedestrianism.
But Arthur and tramped the coun-
try in all directions, as we used to do at
home, paying little attention to the
mild surprise of the winters sojourners,
who wonder at our eccentricity, an1
still less to the scornful astonishment
of the natives, who can not conceive
but one reason why one should go on
foot-that he is too poor to buy or hire
horse.
One morning we started on anexpedi-
tion TO the Hot Spring canyon, IN the
mountains some six miles from town,
intending to get our lunch at the hotel
there, and afterwards to spend the rest
of the day in climbing the mountains
! above, towards which we had always
looked longingly during previous Wis
its to the place.
OFF 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 and growing crops made
it hard to realize that the month was a
winter one, and that our New England
homes were smothered in snow, with
the thermometer very likely down be-
low 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 effects, and when
we reached the little hotel, precisely
an hour and half after starting, our
crimson faces, relieved and set off by
yellow dust, gave us startling Indian
esque appearance, which our tremen-
dous appetite at lunch did not at all ill
suit. However, after an hour or two
we were ready for further operations
the more 80 since, the sky having be-.
come overcast, il 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 for it boys"
Arthur and l laughed. We were
both from the eastern Maine sea coast,
where for days at time you can't see
across the street so thick is the mist,
and light California fog did not
strike us as very formidable.
"All right" we replied. 'If we see
regular 'Eastport smotherer' heaving
in sight we'll come back"
And, with another laugh, we began
clambering up the deep slope, leaving
host gazing doubtfully after as long as
he could see US.
must say that more deceitful
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 so
many ridges and gullies crossing Its
side that, what with going up one and
down another, we must have gone
nearly twice as far as if the activity
had been smooth.
"This is more of a job than l
thought" puffed Arthur, while we
were resting at the end of the first
hour,
81 should say so," assented l, look.
ing up towards the top or rather where
| supposed it to be, for another of
those provoking ridges barred the way
and shut off every glimpse of what
might be beyond.
"lf we don't hurry" continued
Arthur reluctantly rising from the
bowlder he had been sitting upon, 81
don't believe we shall get there in time,
for it grows dark early, you know, and
l wouldn't be caught up here after
sunset for good deal"
"Same with me; the landlord says
there are no end of gulches and pre-
cipices all around, and we might easy
tumble in or off one. Yes we must
hurry"
So off we started up the ridge, find
ing on crossing it, that there were, as
usual, more of the same kind yet to he
passed, running in all directions and
pretty thckly covered with chaparral
and stunted trees-a mixture of rocks,
brush and steep banks anything but
pleasant to contemplate fer those who
must either get through it or else turn
back.
But neither Of us being of the turn
ing back sort we plunged into the
labyrinth, with the result that after
half an hours hard struggling, we
simultaneously stopped and turned to
each other in complete bewilderment.
"Arthur, l 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 to 90.
Nothing was to be seen but sharp
pinicles or long ridges, divided by
deep, narrow gorges, shut in with
bushes, and generally obscure aud con.
fusing.
Then, for the first time, we perceiv-
ed that the sky was covered with driv-
ing gray scuds, flying SO low as to al
most touch the tree tops.
"We're done for" said Arthur, re-
signedly. The fog's coming, and in
half an hour we might be blind, for all
the good our eyes will do us"
"Oh not 30 bad as that" said |.
"These fogs are nothing to what we've
been used TO-"
Perhaps not but you'll find this one
will be enough and to spare, down here
in these gulches, with night coming on,
besides"
| Thara uou Sopna,b b;nc, IN ,bat N