Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-03-14

-, -. - '"c"hihR ana ueBpic- |
aole brute at best, and any thing but
she ferocious creature depicted In Action
ana In the popular works of natural his |
tory.
Our nnai expedition was made ON tho |
twenty-sixth Of March For some davs
the weather had been balmy and mild
with bright skies and occasional warn |
showers. The bluff-sides back ~ tha
settlement were bare; the swamps were
overfiowed, the wealds and ridges in
olosea ponds and miniature lakeIets.
our own highway was watercourss
naii yard deep. Though the sun had
disappeared from the lake, the ice. IN
al appearances, was as solid and firm
as in mid-January, and we yentured
upon it in all confidence Of its security
As was our custom, we drove to tho
scene OF operations in pung drawn bv
pet roam mare Of mine, somewhat re-
markable for speed and intelligence.
She was especially chosen for this DUTY
because OF the docility and affection
that induced her to remain in the i'm
mediate vicinity Of her master.
This day every thing seemed to 90
wrong with us from the outset. The
sleigh broke down when we were half
mile out, necessitating return for re-
pairs. JEANNE" manifested decided
inclination to disobey her driver, and
several times attempted to face back.
SHE'D, once or twice all but baked, and
generally behaved in most incompre-
hensible manner. The sky clouded over,
the air became moist and heavy and a
still breeze, accompanied by a drizzle,
sprang up in our teeth.
| Arrived at our destination. the Gus
tomary blue OF the waters of the lake
was observed to be replaced by dingy
greenish hue in which the snatches
were Immediately lost to sight, though
ordinarily they could be traced in their
downward course for dozen fathoms.
| After lapse Of six hours we had only
two great blue-cats to show for our
Touble-hideous monsters, for which
no one had any use, since these fish are
wholly unsuited tocivilized stomachs.
Old and weather-wise fishermen are
wont to prognosticate a rapidly-ap-
preaching storm when these creatures.
whose proper home is along the bottom,
are observed near the surface. The
Commodore was imbued with all the
superstitions peculiar to his calling, but
he dared not raise his voice in warning
knowing the ridicule that he would in.
eur by so doing. Finally the wind
abruptly shifted out of the northeast te
nor'-west, and blew screeching gale
Meanwhile nothing would satisfy the
restless importantly Of the roam, which
continually stamped and shrilly whin
MED. Petting, blanketing, food alike
were of no avail; she even rejected the
Commodore's proffered tobacco, an un
heardof bit OF self-lenial, as she was in
ordinately fond OF the weed. At last
when for the second time she had seizet
my coat in her teeth as if to draw IN,
away, | imagined that she was i'll, ant
demanded that we eat lunch and thel
T Immediately depart for home.
AS we sat along the pung-rail dis
: cussing sandwiches and ''ill-luck,
, Junior" who CHANGED for the momen
to assume an upright position With
the vehicle, suddenly dropped bac
with pallid face and working lips, an
z gasped: 'Heacen Help us, telioarsi "
are al ddrttf''
r 81 knowed hit! ! knowed all tn
= time them catfish want snoopin roun
J fer nothin'." shouted the Commodore
i leaping to his feet, catching the mar
e by the bride, and deity whirling he
e between the thills. At the same instan
= sprang to the sleigh floor, altogethe
: incredulous of the truth Of the alarm
. That we could be afoat did not seel
a within the bounds of possibility. Blu
O alas. it was too nearly true!
n The numerous rivers and streams {
t the coast, swollen by rains and meltin
Y SHOWS, had for days been pouring col
l. stantly-increasing volumes OF warm'
water into the lake, increasing its ten
h perature and disintegrating and hone,
h combing the ice from beneath. until
- gale was the one factor required to Il
IS sure the disruption of the rotten mass,
C quickly realized our peril, for to tt
% north and east all was open water whie
e had approached to within hundred rot
l. of our position. It's advance had bee
e unobserved, owing to our preoccnpano
the noise of the storm and a line OF hur
mocks that INSTRUCTED our vision. Nv
IF miles away there had also opened b
L. tween us and the shore broad line
y water, extending toward the sout
he terminating no one could tell now
Us where
to There was not moment to lose, On
he adrift in the lake hope must be ABA
81 doned. Apparently the field on VIM.
he we were was yet stationary, but u
broad channel moving southwark W
~ rapidly cutting us away from the lnsho
ar ice. There was bare possibility or
s. cane to the south if we could reach Stu
H. oeon point nine miles away. This POI
lr is spit that juts out into the lake I
n, a league or more. and below the surla
IS Is prolonged as far again as barely su
to merged reef.
he Tnon this point is Government llgl
s. house of the Sfe-saving service, and
or had a faint hope that from there
a MIGHT receive some aid, though
knew that both the light and the 81
lie ton were abandoned, save for two cal
in takers Even the ife-boat was away
~ repairs.
or As we tumbled into the sleigh yea
ty ME- sprang away without waiting |
IT. word of command, going down the Ia
OF at the top of her speed, as il animal
ne by the thoughts and fears OF the III
behind her.
ra On we sped, pale and silent gro'