Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-12-27
VISIT TO KANAKA PEAK,


oost So the roses were not afraid Of
~Jack Frosts" cool touch, and were pro
tnse in their blushlng beauty The orange
traes were white with sweet scented buds
and purple and white violets were DER.
tuning the air
We that is, Belle Corea Mabel Black
and |, were visiting an old school friend
lately married, and living in a lovely
home in the Gem of the Foothills. " as
0ryille is called We were a merry party,
for Clara Agnew our hostess, was of our
own age. and her hubby "a prince of
GOOD fellows, just devoted to her.
For our pleasure they planned daily ex-
cursions, on horseback or by carriage, to
various places of interest. We had already
visited Fall River falls, the miniature
Yosemite of northern California; we had
been on the north fork of the Feather
river, where camping out over night was
not the least of our pleasures.
When the moon came over the tall, dark
mines it sent brilliant shafts of light across
The snowy mountain peaks above us, and
the warm night air was fragrant with
mingled pine and apple blossoms from the
valley far below
We had just returned from carriage
ride, anu CldId was pldHnlnS "Trip to
Hanaka peak She had heard the Digger
Indians were later this year in having
their burn, and were now mastering to
the peak from their various camps in
American Valley, Dog Town and San Juan
We had heard of their strange custom of
Burning clothing. baskets and all their
vlluables in fact, thinking that the smoke
would arise and form into those same
articles for the use of their friends in the
Gland of spirits.
They don't like white people to come"
Clara said
But as we were anxious to see a burn,
and had all promised not to speak in meet
Ing, she thought we might go-that is,
lfshe could get sufficient male escort. say
about three beside her own husband, and
then we each would have protector
So early one bright morning we started,
with a span of horses, Chinaman cook,
and pack mule called lack" On this
beast of burden we put our tents and the
necessary provisions Sometimes the cook
towed the jack. sometimes he mounted it.
Our horses were fresh and the blackboard
light, so we soon left the valley behind
and assembled the foothills and climbed
the Serras by well graded road, that
seemed to US rather dangerously near the
steep canyons and deep ravines.
We passed String Town, formerly
mining claim, and rode on up the steep
hills till we came to valley surrounded
by tall. sentinel like pines. Then. as it
was o'clock, we stopped near Eagle
Gulch for breakfast.
And. oh, the food did taste so delicious!
for our ride in the fresh air had given US
all good appetites for hot steak and coffee.
After breakfast we went on our way,
meeting and passing several bands of dig
gers Ell route for the burn" The squaws
usually had large baskets, inverted cone
shape, fastened across their foreheads by
straps; III these, with round heads sticking
out, were little brown pappooses Other
squaws were riding rough little jacks that
bore patiently the combined load of house
hold goods and children of various sizes.
These native children of the golden west
were barefooted. and those that walked
left footprints on the dusty road, and
shapely feet. if they were fat, with never
trace of a corn or disfguring bunion.
which mar the feet of many belle of the
east and west
After crossing the middle fork of
Feather river we made the ascent on the
other side, and as the sun was setting we
saw the Moon Town ridge sharply defined
against the clear, blue sky
Another half hours ride, and then we
halted, and the men pegged our tents
and made a fire. for the air was chilly
The cook was soon preparing our sup
per The men. Thinning their work
walked downed to the river to fish. In
the interval we walked up the trail to the
- F,ah srli,t n
Of the "Campodie, about half a mile
away. After walking a quarter of a mile
We saw the smoke of the camp fires, and
as our supper horn resounded through the
hills we returned.
After supper the men thought, as we
were to remain up all night without
sleep nap before the moon arose would
be advisable So we wrapped ourselves
up like the Arabs, and stole away silently,
one by one, to the Land Of Nod, the men
returning to the river to WOO the 'spechled
beauties" from the river bed
So silence fell on our tents, broken oc
casionally by a quails whistle or an owl
hooting mourufully We dozed off. for
We were tired after our long ride, and
were loath to awaken when Mr.. Agnew
and the rest returned to arouse US to get
ready for our walk to the Indian camps
A light breeze was swaylng the tall
trees, and few light clouds were obscur-
ing the rays of the rising moon Still it
was light enough to see the trail
We girls were walking ahead with
Clara, and the men walking behind. the
scent of their cigars mingling with piny
odors We were taking short cut over
The ridge, and our way was INSTRUCTED by
brush, but we bravely pushed on We
mad been discussing, in low tones. one of
the men of our party. Bart Birmingham,
lively young fellow Clara said teas
ingly;
Belle, he would be a good match for
you; he has lots of money"
She had hardly spoken the words when
we were startled by the young man re
marking in a clear voice.
II don't want to hear that again.
Clara, fortunately. was too dumfounded
70 reply, and we plodded on in silence till
over the peak, and before us burned
brightly the camp fires
There was large fire in the center, and
around it were poles hung with calico
clothing. baskets and eatables Smaller
ures were around the circle The clouds
Uoscured the moon, and the flashing
names brought into relief the dark forms
OF the silent Indians
Ihe wind. rising. sighed through the
plhes and whistled drearily through tie
tSeep' dark ravines and passes surround
ing the valley. as if the spirits of the de
parted were returning unwillingly
as we stopped in the shade of a tai.
YAK and spread our rugs and wraps. we
LoIiced large waterproof baskets thai
leiu some kind of broth this was kept
walls
me Indians were standing OF sitting
eOunQ In gronps and now and again a