The Dickinson press., 1892-07-09

We were on a plateau in
the very heart OF the mountains.
All around the rugged peaks rose
high into the still air, tinted with deep
purple in the shadow, and the love
Hest rose pink where the sunlight fell
upon the snow. Whero the snow had
Slid away from the precipitous sides,
the granite, streaming with water,
glittered in the bright rays as if it
were encrusted with jewels.
AS we came to a halt, waiting for a
response to Braces call, the silence
vas broken by n prolonged roar like
that OF distant thunder, assomerock,
loosened by the frost, broke away
and hurtled down the unfathomed
canon.
A man came from the building,
which still bore faint trace OF the
word "IIotel' on itsfacade, and, greet
ing Brace with the air OF an
old acquaintance, said he had
got everything aired, and a
supper all ready to put down to the
fire. Brace had seen the necessity OF
preparing him for I'LL reception: A
couple OF rooms had been made as
decently comfortable as might be eX-
pected. We left Lola there, and
strolled out while the dinner vas pre-
pairing.
The end OF the town abutted upon
a wide stream, that was tearing and
wllirling along among the gigantic
boulders that marked its course, tow
ard u black cleft which divided q tow
ering mountain i'll two. Fantastic as
are the effects which characterize the
heights OF the Sierra, l had seen moth
ing comparable to this. 1t was as if
some mighty hand had split the
mountain in half.
al have know'd the time" said the
Judge impressively, "when both
sides OF this river was
lined with miners, and every one OH
'em worth his thousands OF dollarsn.'
l had no sympatllies with the past
glories OF the stream. My mind was
filled with admiration OF the savage
beauty OF the scenery around.
"rhar." said the Judge. ilinging a
piece OF wood, part OF an appliance
which might have washedcold untold
into the turbid and rushing waters
thar. bar stoppages, thatll pass the
Great llesper in less time than it will
take us to get back to the hotel"
"ls it through that cleft VIC have tc
go?"
"Ah, sir, and down to the very
innards OF it,
Il was looking toward the darl
chasm with IL feeling OF ave-, whe,
Brace touched my elbow.
He WAS dragging at his chin tuft, hi
lower lip protrulins. his heavy brow
bent. lie pointed slowly to q trace II
the snow.
"The man from the hotel bee
down here,-is that what you meant
l asked.
sit amt him, sir, that mark. Loo
at lit S a one-footed man! end!
he added, striding forward and look
ing closer.-''end it's IL left-foote
man. end it's Il one w~ooden-legge
man. and then, with conviction, at
the burned niger that's been spyir
after rs. Leave him to me. He ain
golh' to spy US tomorrow not hef
knows it.
l approached the marks, and pc,
: ceived that beside the foot was rh
round hole made by "a woode
stump.
After dinner, Brace looked to I'll
pine torches lie had brought up, an
e spent the evening in drying them car
e fully, whilst chatting with the man
the hotel. lie said not a word abo,
e our discovery nor did theman spea
e OF any visitor being in the hous
This with n certain cunning look
his red eyes, alarmed me.
We were called at four O'Clock IL
next morning, Brace saying that v
must start early, i'll order to get o,
job done i'll time to get back to
comfortable dinner, but in reality,
believe, to preclude the possibility