The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-06-18
ON A COWCATCHER.
LADY MACDONALD'S RIDE ON THE
ROCKIES "GREAT DVlDE.~

Novelty, Excitement and a View of Mag
niflcent Scenery-Bow Several Well
Regulated Young Men Were Aston
ished-A Thin, Melancholy Americana
''It is an awful thing to dor' I hear a;
voice say, as the little group lean forward;
J md for a moment 1 feel thrill that is
cry like fear; but it is gone at once, and
! ( can think of nothing but the novelty,
| The excitement and the fun of this mad
! Idle in glorious sunshine and Intoxicating
+ sir, with magnificent mountains before
! AID 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 ''Great
Ilvide''-5, 800 feet above sea level-he-
tween the two great oceans. AS we pass,
Mr.. E by gesture, points out small
liver called Bath creek, [ think which,
ssuing from lake on the narrow sum-
nit level, winds near the track. I look,
end 10! the water flowing eastward to-
ward the Atlantic side, turnsin a moment
As the Divide is passed, and pours west
ward down the Pacific slope.
Many tunnels lie in our way as we rush
by them, and during q halt l am told one
of the tunnels is ''wet" This being in
terpreted means that the arching rock is
full of springs, which pour ON the train as
it passes. An umbrella and waterproof
are therefore necessary for me-now sole
occupant of the cowcatcher; and with
praiseworthy economy take off my hat,
tuck it safely under my wraps and
prepare to encounter the SWEET
tunnel thus equipped. We plunge into
few moments knesS-water splash
ing and dripping Oh every side; and as we
emerge into the sunlight again and stop
just beyond the tunnel, / see & 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
HE lake below. Fine, tall, young SaxonS
they are, in sporting attire somewhat the
worse for long travel, but very conven-
U1onaI in style notwithstanding. Just
imagine the feelings with which these
well regulated young men beheld lady,
bareheaded and with an umbrella, seated
in front of an engine at the mouth of a
tunnel in the Gold Range of British
Columbia! am sOrely afraid 1 laughed
outright at the blank aInazement of their
rosy faces and longed to tell them what
fun it was; but not being introduced you
know" contented myself with acl1nowI..
edging their presence by a solemn little
boW-which was quite irresistible under
GiI6 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,
laden with miners supplies. 1t was very
interesting to see the sturdy animals all
packed and ready, standing in regular
order, waiting for the word of command
from their driver, which was instantly
obeyed, all filing along at equal distances
with the air of quad dpeds of superior
Intelligence, who had made up their minds
to avoid hurry or confusion. 1t CHANGED
TO 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. 1 bad just been presented with
Two large bouquets. (which lay in my lap.
While l leisurely slipped my tea, there
suddenly appeared before me a very thin,
tall. melancholy looking American, having
something to do with the pack train now
slowly winding off through the noun
talns. Never shall forget the expression
OF that mans face as he steadily regarded
me, seated composedly on the cow
catcher, surrounded with flowers, a plate
Of bread and butter on a candle box near
by, taking afternoon tea. To remain si-
lent was impossible.
0OOo CNCAl4IiSS 4 Sd1u
The man nodded and drew long
breath.
"Have you come farP'' he asked after a
Eeng pause.
''From the other side of the Rockies
[ answered carelessly, as if speaking of q
stroll round a village-''300 miles or sou
''Did you come that way down the
Fhompson?' he next asked, little anx-
>ously.
go yes-and am going to the sea-"
''You amt afraid, Ikely?'' he continued,
looking more melancholy than ever.
''Not at all.''
CHOW look here he said, pausing be-
tween each word, ''its real dangerous.
would not do this thing for lot Of
noneyp Then, thrusting his hands into
his pockets, with a civil "Good evening,
Nissis," he disappeared round the engine.
Lady Macdonald in Murray's Magazine.