St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-06-12
A Night of Discomfort.

On one of the smaller tributaries or
the Yellowstone river, at the waning OF
a hot summer day, Il small pack-train
has made its biyouac for the night. The
horses. released from pack and saddle,
are enjoying a roll, or with muzZleS
thrust deep into the stream are shaking
their thirst. The four men are prepar-
ing the evening meal and laying their
beds on suitable spots beneath the few
trees growing about.
The prospect is rather drear one.
Across the stream rises bare, brown
bluff, on the ridge of which can be seen
one or two Indian graves. Scattered ali
about over the dry and rocky bed of the
stream are large numbers of railroad
ties carried away by high water from
the Northern Pacific Railroad many
miles away,
Supper over, rousing camp fire of
sage brush is IN ade, and for a time the
human portion of the outfit lounge
about it and talk of home and friends.
Then they go to their hard beds. The
chef.a man well known i'll the scientific
world, and who left the greater part of
his right arm on the battle field of Shi-
lob, and the writer sleep each alone.
The other two bunk together.
When we go to bed the sky is clear
and the stars shine bright.
Some time in the night was awakened
and found the two bedfellOWs ruStling
about, covering up their pack. The
wind SOughed GiSmally through the
trees overhead; the rain was gently fall
ing and the light of the stars shut out.
Pulling the blankets over my head l
again slept. IL must have been long
after that | was slowly awakened by
peculiar feeling underneath HE. AS
became conscious, l discovered that my
bed was literally soaked through and
through. l contracted myself into the
smallest space, but TO no avail-the water
followed after. The little depression
my bed was in was the locus of small
drainage area about me.
At last | was virtually drowned out.
and throwing the covers from me, got
up and enjoyed the fun of getting into
wet pantalOOnS. saturated boots, and
dripping coat and hat, feeling my way
as best | could i'll the darkness, and
chattering anu shaking all the time.
Once up, found the chief about also
drowned out. Together we paced to
and fro through the sticky mud until
tired out; and then spent ten minutes
trying to light fire from dripping sage
brush-and failed. Leaving him pac-
ing backward and forward, l again be-
took myself TO my wet bed and tried to
get rest if not sleep. In a Shivering,
restless sleep the remainder of the night
was passed. After the fashion of a
nightmare, two lines of a song slowly
worked to and fro in my chaotic brain:
Slowly the dull night wore away,
ga lew day trembled to its BIRTH"
And what boon it was when at last
the welcome god of day came. slowly
croWding out the mistS of the night, at
length driving them far and wide, and
breaking forth i'll all the glory of his
matchless warmth and power.
We were uSed-up party; but while
one was getting a smoking breakfast
for us, suddenly an idea occurred to the
chief. Pointing to the ties lying about,
he suggested that there was the material
for d fire that would dry us out and ami
mate our frames in great shape. Two
of us, with much labor, built up a stack
of ties crosswise, and then we did have
a fire which dried out our wet garments
and toasted us to turn.
After the wet, cold, uncomfortable
night, we rode away as blithe and gay
as the morning was glorious. AS we
mounted the Iidge opposite our camp
and stopped by an lndian grave to eX-
anime it. the old man, as we affection
ately termed our leader, looking back
at the still blazing, friendly fire, turned
to us, and said: "Well boys, the North
ern Pacific was a friend to us indeed
this morning." We all said amen, and
blessed the flood which robbed the rail-
road for our benefit.
This well-known railroad will serve
any and every one else equally we'll in
other ways if it be given the oppor-
tunity, and in order TO do this, it has
convention excursion rates to Helena for
the 4. o. U. W., and to points east of
Montana. in Minnesota, North Dakota
and Manitoba.
Go to 70 NIcOllet House Block, Mime
apolis, and 162 East Third street, st.
Paul, for information in detail.