The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1892-11-04
SINGING RIVER.
II was late in the sixties.

After a perilous, tedious and fruitless
| journey to the upper Kootenay, we had
decided to return eastward over the trail
already known to us rather than try tc
reach the Pacific over an entirely un.
known route, beset with extraordinary
| danger and hitherto almost untraveled.
Our party was fairly well organized,
considering the fact that we were mere.
ly on prospecting trip, led out by many
stories of fabulous strikes and rich dig.
gings.
We were as sorely disappointed lot
as ever started ON a back trail. Not
even decent color did we find on the
weary way. Seated about the camp.
fire that evening, Bill Upper, our guide,
finally broke the silence, which had
lasted for over half an hour, as every
man felt too keenly the disappointment
of returning empty handed.
''See here, boys" said Bill, "here We
sit mopin and mopin, night after night,
over matters as can't be helped. It's
hundreds of miles back yonder to the
diggins in Alder gulch, which is es far
es We kin git this season, barrin no mis-
hap. Thar amt no use stayin heer,
and if we don't be movin soon, snow
will ketch us in the hills afore we kin
get across"
The force of the argument struck
home. 1t aroused us all from the usual
after supper lethargy which we were
accustomed to drop into. To be caught
on the main range of the Rockies in
mldw1nter was prospect so horrible
and uninviting that we determined to
lose no time in getting started for home.
We concluded to devote one day to
hunting and supplying the party with
fresh meat, to prepare lot for the trip,
and then be off. Game was plentiful in
that uncanny region and we f~--'
trouble in getting all that Y
On the following day we stan
and after wearisome marc
the summit of the continen
safely.
Early fall had set in when
the ascent. We had taken
route, the one used by Lewis
in their expedition to the Colu
now known as Mullan pass. I .
bring us to the neighborhoot
Chance, which was in its pri
fancy when we left the fart
ments.
Our stock Of breadstuffs wa
low, and it was necessary to re
camp as early as possible.
The scenes we passed thr
beauty and sublimity beggaret
scription. Occasionally sea
would rise hastily into space as ~ .
umn came winding down IL
which was so narrow as to com
ride Indian fashion-one behind .--
er-with the pack animals in 81 Bic.
tween us, thus making cony ..r
during the progress of the ioul
possible.
1t is doubtful if any of the otl
heed to the attractions of the
Silently the cavalcade wendell
down the steep trail. The who'll
so uninviting and dangerous tn
unfairly each man looked to
arms and all drew as close toy ,s
possible while we rode on, and many a
pipe was slowed away in the pocket of
its owner. 1t stood us in hand to be
careful, as the Indian did not look with
great favor upon the inroads the white
men were making upon his hitherto I'M
disputed domain. Many venturesome
prospector had left the settlements be-
fore us and had never returned, leaving
his bones to bleach in the sun and rain,
until found later, if ever, by others fol
lowing in his footsteps. Danger lurked
even in the closest proximity of the set
Elements, and the unwary could never
tell when the blow might fall. Eternal
vigilance was the price of life.
The sun was setting. 1t became evil
dent that we could not reach Last
Chance before dark, although we could
see the smoke of the camp, as we were
on much higher ground. We were now
leisurely following the course of a small
stream unknown to us. Arriving at a
small tableland. we decided to pitch
camp there for the night, for we were
tired and hungry. Camp was soon
ready and preparations for hearty
supper were quickly under way. No
accident had befallen us thus far, and
while consuming the meal with raven
Gus appetite the boys soon found their
old time humor, and many a good story
was dished up for dessert. After sup
per the animals were picketed in clump
OF bushes near by. The evening was
perfect.
The boys were idling about the tents.
A few were playing cards; others were
stretched out in the luxuriant grass,
busy with sky gazing, perhaps thinking
OF home and friends good many miles
away.
Bill Upper had wandered away to-
wards the stream, and we could see him
in the twilight, seated on huge bowl
der, near the waters edge, listening in
tently to something. Then he walked
up the stream, and returning walked
down the stream. At times he halted,
and once he stopped and placed his ear
to the ground. Suddenly the sound of
horses hoofs was plainly audible, and
while Bill was running back to camp,
revolver in hand, a stranger came dash
pp nm 1oaEipp mora Iao5 tbo,, Ii. ,