Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1892-01-08

1bu0 - hlkO u " tuUIe III
least than \ goodly half even then
realized.
There two persons. Slim jim
and Sam Slick. II they had been
facetiously nicknamed. owing to the
length OF limb of one and the decided
~ rough appearance of the other, who
looked the calamity in the face UNDER
standingly.
We ought ter a he'd more sense. old
miners as we be; but the gold was a.
pilin' in so fast an | did trust to the
snow a-holdin' of a spell yet. Big
gooses as ever ! heard tell of, an now
we're in fur it."
is it very bad?" inquired Nat Good
year. who was indeed a tenderfoot,
having only reached the camp u few
months previous.
Bad! bad's no name"
And New Years day only two
weeks oil. thought hoped to DO
home then"
Did yer now; well. my boy. You
made yer fortune quick, an nc mis-
take. but it IL be sometime fore You
carry it home"
How long will the snow last"
"All winter"
Nat looked astounded, the expression
on the faces OF tue old pards was grave.
almost hopeless.
Not all winter! why the supplies"
will last about ten days." said Slim
Jim. with a queer smile. Jolly old
New Years we'll have"
But can nothing be done! can't va
dig a way out under the snowe"
Yes we might-in six years"
But the women and children! yoa
don't mean that VIZ are to sit quietly
down and await starvationp"
Would probably answer as we'll 40
anything muttered Sam. However,
the boys not far wrongs; we'll not sit
down an make no effort. Jim an mes
fist a-thinkiu'."
But it's the worst state of affairs I
ever saw" said Jim. stretching his long
arms out with a quaint gesture Of de-
spair.
Sam chuckled and said: Now il
Jim was jist n little longer he could
make q bridge across the snow down
ter the plains. out O his arms"
Jim almost blushed ut this. but an.
swering . thought that was 10 his mind
said:
Length Of limb counts sometimes.
and l kin tramp through q pretty big
now drift, as you know, but ] was q
wishing the snow would get . good
crust on it,"
"'Twon't very soon. 20 a sled could
be pushed over 1t. as / reckon you bsen
a-thinkin' Of"
1T may" cried Nat; .'let US 20 to
work and rig up a sled. l know it
must have broad runners, and be %
light we al either carry or ride upon
it. And l myself have an idea too, but
I won't tell just now"
You're q brave boy. If you be 4
tenderfoot; but do you know that the
ones who set out upon this here
journey must start soon. SOS to git
back in time. an that likely they'll
never reach the plains alivef"
II know. but Vd.rather die a trying.
not only to ave myself, but the littls
children and the women-lucky there
are so few"
For a day the little camp was eager.
~ at work; suggestions and advice and
help was freely ole red. But who
would undertake the dangerous
journeye Onlya portion understood
all that journey might mean.
Sam drew o OF their number aside
and advised to begin dealing out
rations sparingly.
Jim an nell 70. and l s'pose that
boy Nat won't be held back. he's spry
- q cat and may hold ont and il you
are real careful you can make out fur
three weeks. II We shouldn't git back
10 ter days you better start another
party"
TIE day they started. which Wa mp
on the following morning, Nat made
his appearance with . pair Of very re-
spectable looking snow-shoes. Sam
and Jim eyed them In surprise.
You do beat ALL" said Jim; ',can
you paddle along with them thingsp /
own I never tried. aud who learned
you to make emf"
II made . long visit to q cousin who
lives up in Canada one winter. and
met = number Of Indians. purchased .
pair of snow-shoes. and luckily learned
how TO use them we'll. These are
clumsy things. but they are strong.
and | can use them ! think"
With many encouraging words. bat
secret fears. the three started down
that snow-covered trail.
Only those WHO have been on the
mountains where the snow 10 piled in
immense drifts, can imagine the perils
and dangers that lay before them.
Ou the little sled which they drew
vas . coil of strong rope. a sharp AZ
aud shovel. three good rifles-for
possible game aud foes. as 1t might be
and 4 tin box containing a few bis
cults.
Slowly. indeed, did they progress.
but perhaps it was luck. since on that
very first night Sam shot q deer amid
much rejoicing.
Roast 4 part, and I'll take the No.
mainder back to camp; 1t will be much
to them" exclaimed Nat.
But we ought to push on"
Yes, but I'll overtake you, never
fear"
Much surprised were the people to
zee Nat back 50 soon. but the burden