The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-02-13

but had left their provisions on tho
back OF the abandoned horse
The question OF hunger soon became
more important than that of the cold.
What can We do, father" Allie
asked pitifnlly.
DO? We must--we must kill Echo.'
replied Mr.. White. slowly.
NO. no. he's the only pet have left.
cried Allie. xiii Echo? Eat Echoi
No. no, that Is impossible
They tried to dig their way out Of the
snow house. but 1t seemed an endless
job. Their hunger increased. Was there
no way OF obtaining food to keep them
alive for few days? They both looked
IT the dog. who whined pitifully, as il he
understood the meaning Of their glanccs.
.'How near are we to the ground?"
Mr.. White asked suddenly. I'VE must
have some sticks and leaves, even il we
kill Echo. We can not eat him raw
%. don't talk that way, father" cried
| the boy. Ill die rather than touch
Echo
lie Rugged the poor dog in his arms
and pressed the shaggy body to his lips.
Echo, seeming to understand that they
were talking about him, and that his
life was in danger. licked his masters
hands, and barked approvingly.
but we can not starve, Allie" said
the boys father, after short pause. III
we do not get out Of here, or find some.
thing to eat shortly, we must kill Echo,
Or die"
Il
1t was terrible position to be in, and
Allie shed tears of sorrow as he thought
Of the next day or two.
LET us try to dig our way out: we
have only half worked. father" he sud.
denly said, rising from his seat and be.
ginning to throw the snow about him
with his hands.
I'VE will do the best we cam" replied
his father.
The two then worked with will.
They began to dig in straight line,
due south. and away from the rock.
Even Echo helped in the work, throw
ing the snow back of him with his front
paws For half an hour the three worked
without speaking. Then Echo gave
low growl.
What is it. Echo?" asked Allie, look
ing at the dog.
Echo in his work had dug down to the
earth. and his sharp nose was snufling
around as if he was on the scent OF some
game. He then began to dig into the
| dirt, throwing it up on every side. His
efforts were almost frantic, and he kept
up low growl while he worked.
Il believe Echo has discovered some
thing, father. See him dig"
Suspending their work, the two
watched the dog for q minute or two.
The dog dug hole several feet into the
ground. and then clawed against a big
stone that was in his way. He barked
and looked up at Allie to ask him to
help him in his work.
Here. I'll remove it for you, said the
boy, and taking hold of the big stone he
lifted it up with difficulty.
A sight met his gaze that greatly sur
prised him. Under the stone was
large woodchuck's bed, and three good
sized woodchucks were coiled up in lit
tie balls. They made no movement as
their den was suddenly lighted up,
Echo seized one Of the fellows, and
shook him joyfully. The animal made
q few feeble motions, but Echo had
killed him before he was fairly awake.
The whole company of woodchucks
were alternating, and were fast asleep.
Their winter quarters had been is
covered accidentally by Echos sharp
nose.
The three animals were quickly killed,
and after great deal Of difficulty fire
was started. Some of the meat was
cooked, and the three nearly famished
lost ones enjoyed . hearty meal. The
fire soon melted the snow around, and
the smoke made q loophole through the
| top of their snow-prison.
Greatly strengthened with their meal.
the work of digging their way out again
was begun in earnest. After two or
three hours Of work they found an outlet
The storm had passed away, and,
though the air was cold, every thing was
bright and shining. Carrying the REM
nants Of the woodchucks with them, the
three then set out to find the camp.
Echo again came in handy, and led the
way home.
The dog seemed to know that his dis
COStIy u0u S6VCO Ills ONH uiut. anu mort
than once he took . good look at the
| woodchucks. Echo was given liberal
part of them every time they stopped to
eat, and whom they finally reached camp
he Toasted upon the last one.
Allie had lost one Of his pets: but then
he had become doubly attached to Echo,
and felt that he was worth as much as
two comnanionS George Etholhart
Walsh, in Yankee Blade.