The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-13

course everybody KNOWS where the Bear
Tooth is: It can be plainly seen north of
the Prickly Pear valley from nearly every
residence in the city.
The fish didn't bite very good, but we
managed by persistent effort to get enough
to eat and were thinking of pulling out for
home when the boys proposed to take a
! stroll up Cottonwood creek.
The Bear Tooth, as you all know, is just
below the gate of the mountains. The
cliffs of rock on either side rise up to a
great height, presenting a very majestic
and. and awe,iinspirine picture. Cotton
Stone went up this canyon on an exploring
expedition. I took my fishing tackle and
tried my luck in the river, but not meeting
with much success I finally became tired Of
the port. Ilounged about for an hour or
! two, but became lonesome and concluded
to follow my, companions. shouldered
canyon and had gone probably two miles
when I saw the two men a short distance
ahead running too and and fro carrying
sticks of wood and piling them on a roar
ing fire. I hurried forward to ascertain the
cause of this unusual excitement, and ar
met my view. spoke to the men but they
paid no heed to me, acting more like luna
tics than anything else. The fire was
roaring like furnance in a sort
of cave at the base of perpendicular cliff,
the face Of # which WAS was perforated with
a dark object protrude from one of these
holes several inches. ! looked carefully at
it and finally made out the wicked little
eyes and glossy head of rattlesnake,
whose forked tongue shot forth defiance.
caught ca sfts Acres By the arm as he passed me
all meant. He had wild, unnatural look
about his eyes and seemed to be in high
fever. He pointed to the cave and said the
one word, "Snakesv' with kind of kissing
sound that made my blood run cold.
i looked again at the face of the cliff
ing from as many holes. The fire and
smoke was driving them to seek the open
air. All this time was stand
ing in position where the wind
carried the smoke up the canyon. but sud-
Den yeerlng OF the wind blew the ashes,
issuing from the fire directly in my face. I
got one breath of it before could escape,
and it gave me the most peculiar sensation
lever experienced. For moment it was
to such a height that felt could almost
walk on air. What was the cause of this
peculiar sensation could not imagine. I
thought could hear music in the air, and
all manner of sweet and lovely visions fit
ted before my mind. leaned against
AOOA Al u 0O1t "a AduGAuS SPELL ana 001OyoQ
for few moments feeling of ecstacy that
is seldom permitted to mortals, It
only lasted two or three minutes, however,
when it was succeeded by revulsion
and fear. seemed to feel that deadly peril
awaited me in that place and my only es-
cape was in fight. I ran toward my two
who were hurrying up with |
more wood. l caught Acres by the arm and |
hurled him to the ground. He struck his |
head against rock and lay stunned and |
bleeding. I then made a grab for Stone, |
but he lodged by me and rushed on toward |
the fire like mad man. went after him |
as fast as l could, but before could over |
take him he had thrown his load upon the |
flames. l rushed up to where he was and |
was about to pull Kim away when tremen-
dons kissing sound issued from the cavern /
and stopped to listen, Presently a greet /
mass as large as a hoGshead rolled |
gently down from out the cavern directly /
into the flames. At first thought it was
q stone or chunk of wood. But I |
was soon undeceiyed. It was solid mass of /
that seemed to my disturbed |
to have come direct from |
the bottomless cit of hadcs. / begged |
Stone to fly with me from such damnable |
scot, but he stood charmed, fascinated. "A |
supposed, by the awful sight, and paid no
heed to me. Finding that entreaties /
would do no good, I at last seized him
round the waist with both arms and hur-
ried him down the canyon.
I'VE found Acres bathing his face in the
stream, and although pale and weak, be in