Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-08-22
ASTRAY In A STORM.

ulotS lhlekty betllen southern portions,
what the whole state still is 70 Massa-
chusetts and New York. The entire
county OF Aroostook. and large sections
OF those adjoining. were always al
lnded TO by those dwelling nearer the
scaboard as "Down East or else, in
the quaint YRnkeedom, us The Roo
stick
The deer the bear, and the cata-
mount were not infrequent visitors in
these newly cleared localities, and
most of the hardy settlers were expert
hunters. Close time was almost un.
heard OF. for the government officials
never moiested anyone; and during tho
winter season especially the sport ran
high and the tree-clad hills resounded
far and near with tho merry crack OF
the woodsman's rife.
One day In the latter part OF Deeem-
Der, shortly after became citizen Of
''Roostick, = l shonldered my gun and
set out for a days shooting. There
were about six inches OF light snow on
tie ground. but not enough 80 |
thought Il worth while 10 take my
snowshoesi and started out unlneum-
bered save for my rife and a heavy
Oyercoat.
had been gone some three hours
and was some six or eight miles from
home as well as the nearest road. be.
fore ! came across any game larger
than red squirrels and three pariridges
] had succeeded Ia bagging. / was
getting quite tired and discouraged
and strongly thinking OF returning
home when suddenly a noble moose
sprang from cover right under my very
nose and went crashing away through
the thick swamp growth Of cedar.
spruce and tamarack.
wns "A good deal chagrined at miss
Ing "A splcndid chance OF bagging such
noble game but the trail through the
swamp was still plain before me
though the animal that made Il had
disappeared rushed along through
The swAmps and over hill.tops for sew
crai hours utterly ohliyious OF time
aud weather only realized that
was hot upon the quarry's traces.
though slill unable 10 catch glimpse
Of him.
Suddenly bowling gale swept down
upon the bending troe-tops bearing d
binding whlrl Of snowaakcs with Il
NJ u rushed onward; and became
sensible Of the fact that was miles
derp in the trackless forest and had
better be getting home agaiu us soon
a. possible So ! abandoned the fruit
less chase. took my bearings as we'll
a. could and hastily sct out upon my
return.
The storm momentarily increased
In fury, and soon was almost blinded
hy the driving snow. At last the
blizzard became so terrific that II was
utterly impossible 70 SEQ any distance
ahead. and the singing cold grew
more and more intense with every
instant
How long struggled onward do
not know; Il seemed AN age. could
not feel certain that was not going
farther and farther from life and hope
with every step. Yet could not sit
down and passively meet my fate AS
long as | had the strength left TO
struggle. and so | still staggered on.
At last Il seemed as II could 60 no
farther My heart was beating like a
trip. hammer IN my bosom. and my
lungs burned MS II the air / brcathed
were liquid fire. The sweat rolled
down my limbs In hot floods. while
my exircmities we're freezing I felt
that must do something different or
die then and there, in spite OF all my
Efforts
/ knew that longer delay would
probably be fatal. and yet was worn
out and exhausted. Suddenly q
thought flashed on my mind like an in
SEPARATION; CLEAN OF hope from heaven
my matchbox. Could | manage to
kindle fire?
hastily trampled down the snow in
the lea OF the protecting rock, and tore
some branches from dead spruce that
stood Gloss at hand; made n little
pile Of them, and lowered over II as
drew the tiny box from my pocket and
opened II with eager. trembling fling
ers. In Il were six matches and that
was all.
/ crouched low over my precious
| pic OF OfuNnWubu hltN 81 btNAANN W. ~
them upon the side Of the rock. My
hasty fingers were numb and almost
useless and the lighted end broke of
and was extinguished in tho snow al
most at the instant It took fire.
With the eagerness Of one whose life
depends upon the success OF his efforts
tried the next one, but with fal
greater care. My Godl II refused tc
light
Again and again ] tried, but all II
vain; they had become damp anc
would not ignite. At last only two re
manned.
/ struck the flfth and oh ioyl a
slender tongue of flame shot upward
through the storm, and my chilled
anpers felt its grateful warmth as
applied IL to the heap OF twigs before
me. | sheltered the tiny blaze with
hands and body but the dead limbs
would not take fire, and as | saw the