The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-02-08
father, and Echo we're left to continue


They finally got under the shelter of
rock, and made place in the snow to
rest. They huddled up together, wound
their blankets around them, and allowed
the snow to cover them up AS the
snow piled up they packed 1T in soild
walls, making sort of snow house. 1t
drifted off the top of the rock, and
made hugo snow bank on one side,
while on the other side the rocky wall
protected them.
1t was a cold retreat-very cold but
it was much warmer than outside. The
storm was shut out from their view,
and even the bowling of the wind grad
ually passed away. The snow barrier
increased in thickness.
| 1t was a long, long time that Allie and
his father remained quiet in their snow
house. 1t seemed like days and weeks
to them. They took turns in sleeping,
| wrapping themselves up in their blank
| cts before lying down. Echo took his
turn, too, but most of the time he kept
his watchful eyes wide open.
All of that day, and the next night,
and part of the following forenoon
passed without any change. Then they
became so hungry that they grew faint.
They had brought the money with them,
but had left their provisions on the
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, pitifully.
"Do? We must-we must kill B'cho,"
replied Mr.. White, slowly.
'.No, no, he's the only pet have left,
cried Allie. "Kill Echo? Eat Echo?
No, no. that is impossible"
They tried to dig their way out of the
snow house, but it seemed an endless
lob. Their hunger increased. Was there
no way of obtaining food to keep them
alive for few days? They both looked
at the dog, who whined pitifully, as If he
understood the meaning of their glances.
elbow near are we to the ground?'
Mr.. White asked suddenly. "We must
have some sticks and leaves, even If we
kill Echo. We can not eat him raw"
go, don't talk that way, father" cried
the boy "fll die rather than touch
Echo
He hugged 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. II
we do not get out of here, or find some.
thing to eat shortly, we must kill Echo,
or die"
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.
1--WE will do the best we can," replied
his father.
The two then worked with will.
They began to dig in a straight line,
due south, and away from the rock.
Even Echo helped in the work, throw
ing the snow back of him with his from,
paws. For half an hour the three worke.
without speaking. Then Echo gave a
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 snuffing
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.
81 believe Echo has discovered some
thing, father. See him dig"
Suspending their work, the two
watched the dog for minute or two
The dog dug hole several feet into the
ground, and then clawed against big
, stone that was in his way. He barket
, and looked up at Allie to ask him tt
help him in his work.
: "Here, I'll remove it for you" said th'
, boy, and taking hold of the big stone HI
lifted it up with difficulty.
a A sight met his gaze that greatly sur
. prised him. Under the stone was
large woodchuck's bed, and three good
q sized woodchucks were coiled up in II,
: tie balls. They made no movement a
$ their den was suddenly lighted uT
Echo seized one of the fellows, an
;. shook him joyfully. The animal mad
a few feeble motions, but Echo ha
$ killed him before he was fairly awake
}. The whole company of woodchuck
were alternating, and were fast asleeI
J. Their winter quarters had been di'
r. covered accidentally by Echo's shar
n nose.
t. The three animals were quickly killed
r. and after great deal of difficulty III
70 was started. Some of the meat wa
cooked, and the three nearly famishe
e, lost ones enjoyed a hearty meal. Th
III fire soon melted the snow around, an
the smoke made loophole through th
IL top of their snow-prison.
s. Greatly strengthened with their mea
m the work of digging their way out agai
le was begun in earnest. After two
w three hours of work they found an Quite
I'd The storm had passed away, an
40 though the air was cold, every thing Wi
@. bright and shining. Carrying the rer
s, nants of the woodchucks with them, ii
I'd three then set out to find the cam
us Echo again came in handy, and led Il
way home.
:" The dog seemed to know that his di
re covery had saved his own hide, and mo
,p than once he took good look at Il
IN woodchucks. Echo was given liber
part of them every time they stopped
he eat and when they finally reached can
nd he feasted upon the last one.
wv Allie had lost one of his pets; but thu
"a he had become doubly attached to Ech