The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-08-06
Fleeing From the Torrent.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.


young fellow named George Brown and |
were prospecting in the Huachuca Noun
tains, in Arizona. 1t was comparatively
unknown country at that time, and filled
with dangers of all kinds, against which We
were amply prepared. We had fine out
fit, well stored with provisions, and we
carried good arms and an abundance Of
ammunition. This for the double purpose
of killing game and defending ourselves
against possible attacks of Apaches, who
We're bad at that time. We had been out
from civilization about six weeks, and had
made some small discoveries, but nothing
which we felt would Justify us in working
at that time, so we pushed further up the
mountains, following up canyon as far as
swe could 90 with our team, and when we
could take our wagon no further we made
camp, and each day prospected the country
around it, packing our tools and water on
our mules.
I'VE had started out early one morning
on one of these expeditions. The air was
remarkably calm; not breath stirred, nor
was there cloud in the sky. The sun
came up clear and hot, and Brown remark
ed to me, as we toiled up the narrow can
yon, that we were sure of a fine day at any
rate. We reached the scene of our opera
tions about 9 o'clock in the morning, and,
tying our mules to clump of bushes,
proceeded on our climb up the hills. We
had not gone far when the air became in
tensely sultry, and a mass of light, fieecy
clouds began to gather overhead, apparent
ly the vanguard of two denser masses
which were forming north and south of us.
Then a few drops of rain fell, and the cloud
masses thickened, became blacker and
seemed to rapidly approach each other.
"Seeing that storm was upon us, Brown
and started down the mountain for our
mules, the clouds above in the meantime
coming together, the darkness increasing,
and drops as large apparently as saucers
falling around u.s. We redoubled our
speed and gained our mules as the two
cloud masses met 1t was now almost as
dark as midnight, and the rain drops IN
creased in size and rapidity, until it SEEM
ed as though the clouds had veritably
burst, and there was rush of water like
Niagara coming down from the heavens.
ave had reached our mules and were spur,
ring down the canyon for our lives. The
hillsides were raging cataract Of water.
Great trees were washed out by the roots;
huge boulders were rolled down into the
canyon. The water pouring down the hill,
sides found small depressions, and in few
minutes tore them ont to ravines. In
places we could see the soil washed clean
to the bedrock, and the whole mass tumb-
ling into the canyon through which We
were riding.
at was ride for life Behind us was
solid wall of water fifty feet high, COM
ing with the roar of thousand cataracts.
The noise was deafening In the face of
this wall of water was mass of debris
whole trees, turning end over end, huge
boulders, large as house, being swept
forward by the force behind as dust is
swept before the broom Of the housewife.
ave were urging our poor beasts to
their utmost limit of endurance, the water
around us growing deeper and deeper each
second, the rain still falling in torrents,
while that terrible wall behind us was in
creasing in height and velocity, and steadily
gaining an US. was q little in ADVANCE
of Brown, and shouted for him to break
for the hills, but the horrible din behind
drowned my voice, and | could not hear it
myself. Ispurrod my mule up the side
hill, and, looking back to see if Brown
were following, saw that irresistible cur
rent fairly lick him up, and in an instant
be with the mule he was riding, was absorb
ed in the pass which was rolling down the
canyon, as one might disappear in the NAV
of some monster
81 could not stop 10 look further for
him. The rolling wall of water was com
ing down the canyon with the speed of an
express train and every second lessened
the distance between it and me. 1t was
matter of selfpreservation-a race for life
with the elements. | had got down the
canyon to place where it was widering
and the stream spread out in width, losing
somewhat of its depth, but still it seemed
to press on ike some hideons monster in
tent upon its prey and fearful lest it should
be bafiied. I was gaining On the side hill,
but the current was gaining on me. Mo-
ment by moment it came nearer. 1t was
now but few feet distant. If | could but
force my poor beast few feet higher up
the mountain we should be above its force
and be safe. thrust the rowels deep in
his side, and he gave a mad plunge. The
water had reached US, and ! felt him car
ried off his feet grasped an overhang
ing bush, and he was swept away in the
torrent, leaving me suspended, my feet just
touching the surface of the water. hung
to that bush for my life, and, despite the
strongest exertions on my part, 1t was all |
could do to keep from being carried away
ain a few moments the fury of the
storm had passed, the water abated sufii-
ciently to permit me to obtain footing,
and I forced my way higher up the noun
tain to place of safety, where, drenched