Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-12-26


and Sam Slick. as they had been
facetiouslv nicknamed owing to the
length of limb of one and the decided
ly rough appearance of the other who
looked the calamity in the face under
standingly.
I'VE ought ter a he'd more sense, old
miners as we be; but the gold was a
pilin' in so fast an did trust to the
snow a-holdin' off spell yet. Big
gooses as ever / heard tell of, an now
we're 10 fur it,"
is it very bad?n inquired Nat Good
year, who was indeed tenderfoot,
having only reached the camp a few
months previous.
Bad! bad's no name"
and New Years. day only two
weeks off, | thought hoped to be
home then"
Did yer now; we'll nv boy. you
made yer fortune quick, an no mis-
take. but it I'll be sometime fore you
carry it home"
How long will the snow last"
'All winter
Natlooked astounded, the expression
on the faces of the old pards was grave,
almost hopeless
Not all winter! why the supplies -"
viii last about ten days, said Slim
jim, with queer smile. Jolly old
New Years we'll have"
But can nothing be doneP can't we
die "A way out under the snowP'
Yes we might-in six years.
But the women and childrenl sou
don't mean that we are to sit quietly
down and await starvationP'
Would probably answer as well as
anything, muttered Sam However,
the boys not far wrong; well not sit
down an make no effort. Jim an mes
jist a-thinkiu','
But it's the worst state of affairs
ever saw, said jim. stretching his long
arms out with Il quaint gesture of do
spair.
Sam chuckled and said: Now if
Jim was jist little longer he could
make "A bridge across the snow down
ter the plains out o his arms.n
Jim almost bIushed at this but an
swering thought that was in his mind
said:
Length of limb counts sometimes
aud kin tramp through pretty big
snow drift as you know, but | was a
wishing the snow would get a good
crust on it."
NTwon't very soon, so a sled could
be pushed over it, as | reckon you been
a-tbinkiu' of"
1T may" cried Nat; "let us 20 to
work and rig up "A sled. | know it
must have broad runners, and be so
light we can either carry or ride upon
it. Aud ! myself have an idea too, but
| won't tell just now"
You're a brave boy, if YOU be
tenderfoot; but do you know that the
ones who set out upon this here
journey must start soon, SOS 10 git
back in time, an that likely they'll
never reach the plains aliveP'
Il know, but I'd rather die a trying
not only to save myself but the little
children and the women-lucEy there
are so few"
For a day the little camp was eager
ly at work; suggestions aud advice and
help was freely ofe red. But who
would undertake the dangerous
journey? Only portion understood
all that journey might mean.
Sam drew one OF their number aside
and advised to begin dealing out
rations sparingly.
Jim an nell 20. and l s'pose that
boy Nat won't be held back, he's spry
as a cat and may hold out. aud If you
are real careful you can make out fur
three weeks. If we shouldn't git back
in ten days you better start another
party
The day they started. which was up
on the following morning, Nat made
his appearance with pair of very re-
spectacle looking snOw-shoes. Sam
aud Jim eyed them in surprise.
You do beat all " said Jim; "can
you paddle along with them things2
own never tried, and who learned
you to make emp
Il made long visit to a cousin who
lives up in Canada one winter, and
met a number of Indians, purchased a
pair Of snow-shoes, and luckily learned
how to use them well. These are
clumsy things. but they are strong,
aud can use them ! think"
With mar encouraging words but
secret fears. the three started down
that snow-covered trail.
Only those VINO have been on the
mountains where the snow is piled in
immense drifts, can imagine the periIs
aud dangers that lay before them.
On The little Sled which they drew
was coil Of strong rope a sharp ak
aud shovel. three good rifles for
possible game and foes as it might be
land tin box containing few bis
cults.
Slowly indeed, did they progress,
but perhaps ID was luck. since on that
very frs aight Sam shot deer amid