The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-08-08
MY DAY IN CAMP.

AL IN xXv Ot1ml
Alaska-and l mean by that tie
whole great mountainous region
north of British Columbia-is thought
to contain gold, and parties of adven-
turous spirits have already begun to
explore it thoroughly.
Some of these hardy fellows tell odd
stories of adventure in the hitherto
unvisited recesses of savage nature.
A young gentleman-lately an ensign
in the navy-who has been with one
OF these venturesome gold seeking ex-
petitions into the great wilderness
to the north of Simpsons river relates
an incident which will go to show that
the earth has not yet ceased to harbor
large game in formidable abundance.
Il felt about used up that morning,
said he, in telling the story, land told
the other fellows that l would take a
day off to get rested.
"'Al right, they said; If you're
sick and want to stay in camp, you
can scrub up the plates and clippers,
and scour out the mush kettle. And
while you're about it, cut a good pile
of fire wood, and don't forget to have
brisk fire going, and supper ready
when we get back
This was paying trifle dear for
the privilege of being an invalid. Of
they all went, with their pans, buck
cts and shovels. knew should not
see anything of them till dark, for
they were going to creek in a ravine
ten or twelve miles distant to try the
washings, and would have to climb
over a rocky ridge two or three thou
sand feet high, and then pick Their
way through thick fir scrub on the
other side.
with an aching head / set to work
to tidy things up a little, and then lay
down in one corner of our pole
shanty, and piled the overcoats of the
party over me, hoping to get warm
and sleep off my indisposition.
Il went to sleep after a while, but
soon walked up very hot. The sun had
come out warm, and the camp felt ike
an oven, for it was built on the south
side of high crag. Feeling still very
drowsy, took two coats and went out
beneath FIR tree which stood not far
from the camp, beside bowlder that
had recently rolled down the crag.
''HereI lay down again in the shade
two. l had an alarming dream-a
tumble of fearful stru ggles-from
which l at length started broad awake,
and heard a snufhng noise close by me.
Casting my eyes around, there
stood grizzly bear that had just risen
on his launches to take a good look
at me. He was only about thirty feet
from me, and not more than half that
distance from the camp door. At the
same moment l saw Just behind him
two more bears, ambling along, a nice
little party coming round for a call
on mel
Il was obliged to say not at home.
For TO bcoot' to the camp door past
this big chap was too risky. and my
rlfe-every gun we had, in fact, ex-
cept one which the boys had taken,
was set away inside the camp.
For one second l lay perfectly
breathless there, then bounded to my
feet with a yell, leaped upon the bowl
der, and catching hold of the lower
most boughs of the FIR, climbed it ]
didn't even dare stop for so much as
one look at my visitors, till l was
well up from the bowlder, when l saw
the foremost bear still standing there
In the same spot, and the other two
also reared up on their hind legs to SEE
what was going on.
They all stood and looked at me,
and then rolled their heads around
and looked at each other for some mo-
mentS The first conner then dropped
on all fours, and coming cautiously
forward shifted the coats which l had
Just vacated Apparently he did moi
like the odor, for he gave them sud
den flip with his paw which sent them
spinning aside, and growled uneasily.
Probably these bears had never be
fore seen or scented q human being
The three put their heads together
and conferred about it, with dubious
glance In my direction now and then.
Presently they scented other more at
tractive things in the camp, and am
bled up to the door. After rolling
their heads and peeking in for while
the largest one ventured L., and then
heard them overhauling our stores fol
.zome minutes. One Of them stayed
outside and kept an eye on me, else
might have got down. and either es
capped or possibly entrapped them by
closing the door, though it is doubtful
whether SO slight structure as oul
pole shanty would have held then
long. They were great strong brutes
as heavy as an OK.
Il kept as quiet as / could, hoping
that they would soon satisfy their curl
osity, and proceed on their travels
but they appeared to be in no haste
and after they had smelled around TO
an hour or more, / heard the under