, 1891-01-07
A CLOSE CALL

\ OLODE OAlIh
The firm of which / was the junior
partner bought large quantities of wool.
/ usually made the purchases, and at
times was obliged to travel far into the
Sierra Nevadas. taking with me several
thousand dollars upon each trip. To
carry this sum l used n pair of saddle
holsters with a receptacle for the money
and a place for a pair Of pistols. The
latter were necessary; for much of my
way lay amid the wild and dragged mount
aims far from the main highways. When
l halted at the wayside hotels ! was
obliged to carry the money to the table
with me and keep it in my room at night.
for few Of the stopping places had any
secure safes or vaults. Paper money was
not generally accepted by the owners Of
wool, so the greater part Of the money
was in gold. Two attempts had been
made to rob me, and l had become wary
and suspicious; yet the profits we made
were so good that 1 was unwilling to
give up the trips.
One day we received a telegram that
read: Secure all the wool you can. 1t
is sure to advance in price"
THAT means n hard trip for me-" l
said, glancing at the yellow slip, but
the sooner l am off the more wool / can
get"
The telegram reached us at o in the
afternoon. At 8 the next morning | was
on the road and had nearly $1,000 in
gold coin.
For the first three days l gradually
assembled the mountains. and by midday
of the fourth had reached the summit.
This did not mean a rapid descent upon
the opposite slope, but q journey for sew
eral days over the ridges rising from this
central plateau. Some of these were
densely wooded with pine. spruce and
fir, while others were more open and
contained fine pastures for hocks and
herds.
L was DESTROYS of reaching one man,
who kept his sheep during the summer
upon a high and rugged range some
miles from my usual route. l halted
for dinner at a small public house lately
built 10 accommodate Transfers engaged
in hauling lumber from a new sawmill.
The surroundings were not inviting, but
/ was accustomed to the poorest accom-
modations while upon these mountain
trips. While n half breed Indian was
caring for my horse l inquired of the
landlord if he could direct me to Ruck-
er's sheep camp.
Eyes" was the reply. "but it's a hard
place to find.' at the same time giving
me the directions as nearly as possible.
shook my head as he ended, saying:
Il could never find the place in a years
time IL fhara M oua hare arnnafufn1
with the route who can go with mes'
He hesitated a moment. and then
said: There's Bill. the half breed; ho
knows the trail as well as old Rucker
himself. l reckon you can get Bill to go"
Bill was promptly interviewed. you
pay me s., and / take my horse and co.
was the brief but satisfactory reply.
The required sum was promised, and
he at once prepared to accompany me.
The moment dinner was eaten we set
of. Instead Of being sullen and morose,
like most half breeds, my guide was "a
laxative and intelligent fellow, and
gave me much information about the
surrounding region.
Upon reaching Fuckers camp we
found the owner absent, and it took u
an hour or moro to find him and the
aAA0 ~ h4tNP lac was htAhAAbs LIT VI .
tanned us longer to tell about the bears
and panthers that annoyed his sheep
than tho time consumed in bargaining
Tor his wool and making the necessary
arrangements for shipping it to us.
When we got back 10 the public house
it was too late TO go further that night,
unless / Travelled after dark, and to this
/ objected on account of the gold.
1rIa l,al1arl uafI La could os.sa ~ .
straw bed, adding, You see, the place
Is new, and we have nothing better for
ourselves"
l was willing to take the bed, and so
turned my horse over to the half breed
10 take care of for the night.
Just before supper two more travellers
rode up and desired to stop.
Rooms are pretty scarce, as you can
see, but we a feed you as well as not"
Rid the host.
The men, like myself, We're not par
hculAr as 10 beds, 50 remained for the
night. They were rather laxative, and
l overheard them ask the landlord my
name and business. My suspicious We're
easily aroused. and ! noticed that they
seemed interested in me and the holsters
| guarded so closely. AS we left the din
ing room one of them said, Mighty
keerful of yer holsters, stranger. You
must have struck 1t rich in the dig
Pn's2'
1 made some evasive reply. During
the evening Bill, the half breed, came
into the barroom two OF three times,
and the last time l noticed that he
secretly beckoned to me TO go out Of
doors Waiting till he left the room !
managed to follow him without attract
ing attention.
On reaching the middle OF the wide,
dusty road he stopped, approached me
closely, and said, You see two men
come on horseback
-added in reply.
He Continued: ..One a bad man: he