The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-10-30
"LOST CAMP
A Thrilling Story Of the Canadian
Lumber Regions.

IN the lumber camps Of Northeastern
wick they still talk about the great
midwinter thaw that wrought such
havoc some ten or dozen years back.
1t came on without warning about the
last week in February. There had
been heavy snowfalls in the early part
of the winter, and all through that dis
trict the SHOWS were deep and soft. Be-
fore the thaw came to an end these
great snow masses were dwindled to al
most nothing. and the ice had gone out
Of the rivers in series of tremendous
floods
For the lum Der thieves the thaw was
magnificent opportunity. Of which
they made haste to avail themselves.
Having no stumpage dues To pay, they
could afford little extra outlay for the
difficult hauling. They were compare
lively secure from interruption, and tho
opening OF the streams gave them an
opportunity of quickly getting their
spoils out of the way.
One of the most important camps OF
the district was that of the Ryckert
company, on the Little St. Francis.
On Saturday morning, the fourth day
Of the thaw, word was brought into
camp that the thieves were having de-
lightful time over on Lake pechta-
weekaagomic. on the company's timber
limits. Steve Doyle. the boss of the
camp, Immediately called for volun.
teers. to attempt the capture of the
marauders. Every man at once came
forward with the exception OF the cook;
and the boss, in order to excite no jeal-
ousies. made his selection by lot. In
half an hour the squad was ready to set
out.
BE you agoin' along, STRIP inquired
one of the hands.
''Why, of courser' exclaimed DOYLE.
"McCann will be in charge here while
we're gone. There's such q thing
possible as brush with them fellows,
though don't anticipate no trouble
with 'em. reckon they're relyin' on
the thaw to keep 'em from bein' inter
rupted."
II thought responded the man who
had just spoken. ''as how the little
feller' might come out to camp to-day.
along of Mart, an you mightn't wan,
to miss him. He amt been here for
more'n month, now, an we're all kind
of expectin' him to-day. You kin de.
pend on us to make good job of it, Ell
SO be's you'd like to stay by the camp.
The hands all knows you too we'll to
think you stayed home on account OF
bein' skeeref. anyways
AT this thege was general laugh,
for Steve Doyle's reckless courage was
famous in all the camp.
NO." said the boss, after a thought
full pause; tits my place to GO, and not
to stay. Anyways, I'm not lookin' for
Arty, to-day. His grandmother ain,
goin' to let him come when the roads sc
bad. No." he continued. with renewed
emphasis. this amt no time for Arty
in the woods"
Without more discussion the band
picked up their dunnage and their guns
and set out for the lake of the unpro
nouncable name. 1t is needless to say
the name became much shortened in
their careless lingo. On state occasions
ehCy oouCIAHiOS loOh pains w pIoHOuuCS
it ''Peckagomic." For everyday use
they found Comic" quite sufficient
About the time the expedition was
setting out from the Ryckert camp. faI
away in Beardsley settlement a very
small boy was being tucked comfortably
into the straw and bear-skins of a roomy
pung. As his grandmother kissed the
round, expectant little face, she said to
the driver. slim youth of perhaps
eighteen:
''Do you think. now. Mart. the goin'
won't be too bad? Be you sure the
pung amt likely 20 slump down and
upset? And then, there's the ice! This
warm spell must have made it pretty
rotten! viii it he safe crossin' the
streams? Somehow or other. do jist
hate lettin' Arty GO along this mornin'"'
don't you be worryin mite. marin, .
responded Mart Bahcock, gathering up
the reins. "Ther' amt no ice to cross,
seems thor amt no rivers in our rowt
exceptin' the Siegus. an that's got a
bridge to 1t. I'll look after Arty, trust
me. His pad be powerful disappointed