The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-01-21
4 ].

The railroad people had found a straight and
narrow pass through the mountains some 10
miles north ofAllegan and utilized It. Accoring
60 the statement Of a civil engineer II this pass
had not been discovered at least 400 miles more
Of tract would have been laid. But fortunately
the road found a way through the mountains
and pushed southwark along the foothills OF the
range, until at point directly west OF Allegan
il reached the plain and turned Pacihcward.
At this point Boulder City was founded. The
distance by rail between Allegan and Boulder
was about 400 miles; over the mountains IL
would not have exceeded 90.
Swindlers and spectators follow in the wake
OF railroad making in the West just as sharks
follow in the wake Of a sailing vessel that has
a very III person aboard. There are always IN
yalids and weak minded persons willing TO en-
trust their health Tor lack of it, and fortunes
10 the care Of railroad companies; the one
class believing that change OF climate VIII
improve their physical condition the other
class equally certain that their financial hori-
ION viii be broadened by a change Of residence.
Quite q number Of the latter class settled IN
Boulder City. Hence they we're alluring bait
for the land sharks.
The first man who ever went mp Boulder
Canyon, with no intention Of returning 10
Boulder City, was Owen Montressor In fact,
he was the first man who ever went 30 far up
Boulder Canyon with any intention whatever.
IL was absolutely necessary that Owen Montres-
sOr should not linger in Boulder City. His
record there had been investigated by vigi-
lance committee, pending his all but fatal
shooting by a rival gambler, and the disclosures
were by no means in his favor.
Realizing the probabilities OF capture IL he
chose the railroad as a means OF escape, Owen
Moutressor galloped up the canyon one bleak
February night on a spirited horse he had Dor
rOwed for the OCCASION without the permission
of its owner. lie was ignorant as TO his desti-
nation, but he pulled his heavy black cloak
over his shoulders, lighted q cigar, and kept
on.
Once or twice he looked back at the distant
glimmer Of the street lights in Boulder City,
and then, like the solitary brgand that he
was resigned himself 10 his uncomfortable
isolation from all human surroundings, as the
rough projecting rocks prevented his seeing
more. Had be not been hardened and fear
less, he would have shuddered in dread Of IN
known chasms every time his horse stumbled.
IN the occasional lull of the wind that
rosred down the defle like q mad deluge, its
more piteous and predatory wall could be heard
far above; then suddenly another dominant
rumbling, growing more harsh and violent,
though less tbunderous, ss it approached.
And when 10 reached Owen MOntressor 10 was
q consonantal fury, slashing crashing past the
volumes Of the cold blast that were caught In
the crypts and rocky alcoves, bounding back
with eddying vengeance and kissing gusts,
as though 10 renew the attack.
Some OF them, perhaps, fed, in the counter
currents, 10 their refuge on the vague attitudes
but the majority were hurled down by fresh
onslaught OF the savage foe. On that night
MontTessor learned the difference between the
capers and gambols of a Summer breeze and
the demouiac contortions Of a Winter tempest
In the mountains.
Still he marked the difference with no pangt
Of regret because he had not stayed in Boulder
City. He frankly regarded himself as a fugi.
tive from justice, and 50 far the situation had
not terrified him, though his actual courage
could not be fairly tested, with his sensibiities
deadened by liberal drafts from his brandy
flask and his limbs numb with cold. The
gloom was no worse than the uncertainty oi
his direction.
The dawn finally broke through the heaviest
and gFayest OF skies, and Owen MontressOr wore
the same expression born Of desperation. As the
day frightened a little he discerned one snow,
capped peak after another towering above and
around him. The canyon bore no evidence Of 4
near termination; il promised 10 lead him or
until be persisted Of starvation. But at about
+ noon he reached level waste, aud To- beyonC
were habitations.
A Few minutes later Owen Montress0r halted
/ bis animal in front Of an oblong framed build,
/ ing, over the battered door Of which q weather
worn sign bore the legend: