The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-03-07
A CLOSE CALL.


partner bought large quantities Of
wool. usually made the purchases,
and ut times was obliged to travel
far into the Sierra Nevadas, taking
with mo several thousand dollars
upon each trip. To carry this sum l
used q pair of saddle hostlers with n
receptacle for the money and place
ora pair of pistols. The latter were
necessary; for much of my way lay
amid the wild and rugged mountains
far from the main highways. When
Ihalted at the waysde hotels was
obliged tocarry the money to the tn
blewith me and keepitin my room ut
night; for few of the stopping places
had any secure safes or vaults. Pm
per money was generally accepted
by the owners of wool, 80 the great
er part OF the money was in gold
Two attempts had been made to rob
me, and had become wary md
suspicious; yet the profits we made
were SO good that l was unwilling to
give up the trips.
One day we received n telegram
that read Secure all the wool you
can; it is sure to advance in price"
"Tllat means hard trip for me. /"
said glancing at the yellow slip,
"but the sooner | am of tho moro
wool l can get"
The telegram reached lis Mt 5 in
the afternoon. At 6 the next morn
ing was on the road, AMI had near
ly four thousands dollars in gold
coin.
For the first three dnys Igrndually
assembled the monntairs. and by
midday of the fourth had reached
the summit. This did not mean IL
rapid descent upon the opposite
slope, but journey for several days
over ridges rising from this centrn,
plateau. Some of theae were dense
lywooded with pine, spruce, and fir.
while Others were more open. and
contained fine pastures for focks
and herds.
/ was DESTROYS Of reaching one
man, who kept his sheep during the
summer upon n high and rugged
range some miles from my usunl
route. l halted for dinner Mt u
Small public house lately built to nc
commodnte teamsters engaged in
hauling lumber from new saw-mill.
The surroundings were net inviting,
but | was accustomed to the poor
est accommodations while upon
these mountain trips. While a half
breed Indinn was caring for my
horse / inquired Of the landlord if
he could direct me to Fuckers sheep
camp.
YES" was the reply. "but it's
hard pace to find" at the same
time giving me the direction as
nearly rs possible.
shook my head as lie ended. sny-
ing: 81 could never find the place in
q yenr's time. Is there no one here
acquainted with the route who can
go with mel"
He hesitated n moment. and then
said: "There's Bill, the hnlf breed: he
knows the trail az well ns old Ruck.
er himself. reckon you can get Bill
to CO."
Bill was promptly interviewed.
"You pny me ~ and | take my horse
and 60, was the brief but satisiac-
tory reply.
The required sum was promised,
and he ut once prepared to accom-.
pany me. The moment dinner wns
eaten we set off. Instead of being
sullen and morose like most half.
breeds. my guide wnD n talkatlvo
and intelligent fellow, and gave me
much Information about the sur
rounding region.
Upon renching Fuckers camp we
found the owner absent, and 1t took
us an hour or more to find him and
the bnnd Of sheep he was herding.
He detnined us longer to tell about
the bears and panthers that annoy
ell his sheep than the time consumed
III bargaining for bis wool and max
ing the necessary arrangements for
shipping it to us. When we got
back to the public house is was
too late to go further that night,
unless Travelled after dark, and to
this objected on account OF the
gold.
The landlord sai,l he could give
me strnw-fed, adding: you see,
the pi zee Is new, and we have moth
ing b. tter for ourselves"
Ivas willing to take the bed, and
90 t.. med my horse over to the half
bres D to TAKE cnrp Of for the night.
.'o,t before supper two more trav-
sl'er r ode up and desired to stop.