The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-27
or the Trail.

By and by we came out on bluff from which
we could look down into the long and narrow
valley. Two miles TO the north and Cd the far
side OF the valley we caught sight Of three or
four white-topped wagons. while . number OF
horses were grazing on the rich pasturage.
Dayton's wagon train had got off the over
land trail and been lost among the mountains
OF Nevada-eiRht wagons and thirty-seven
mon. women. and children. 1t was Ssptem-
Der when they wero last seen on the trail 1t
was now June OF the following year. Every
valley and pass in-the eastern portion OF the
wild territory was being inspected by men
sent out to solve the mystery. One day they
had turned of the trail to find shorter and
better route. No word had come from them
since. 1t had been a terribly hard winter. but
there was hope OF finding at least q part Of
them alive.
We made our way along the bluffs until a
spot was found whore we could descend into
the valley. We were hardly down before the
horses c4me running I'D. and their every &C.
ton showed that they were overioyed at sight
Of human beings. They were hollow eyed and
poor in flesh. as the grass had only Just begun
to furnish pasturage. We fired of our guns
as signal to the people In camp that help was
at hand. but NO one appeared in sight We
had looked for tho smoke Of camp fires from
tho BLUM but not the faintest trace could be
seen. As we advanced upon the wagons tho
horses kept us company. following at our heels
like dogs. and their action prepared US In q
measure for what was to come.
When within half mile of the camp We
still remained. but fadei and miIdewed. Each
was backed up against the steep hillside:
the wagons were four Jack ened spots, on
which the grass would not grow. These had
6ssn the eaprss Of The emGrns At
cheer. and two OF the men discharged their
rifles. but not sound came from the grim
four minutes. hoping that some one would
ns l and yet s feeling that we had come n too
our guide solemnly observed:
toe, sick and feeble to move! Some, Of you had
better take look into the wagons"
:, Fer time every one hung back. There were
ths horses and wagons. but where were the
tween the wagons, which were about ton feet
apart. the grass was thickest and Grsenest.
sd alter Ss they d not
follow US but stood with heads up and ears
pointed forward. Inclined to run away.
each man 10 a wagon, You nssdnt stop at the
away and let the sunlight and daylight in"
sprang up, on tho front OF the wagon and
In. a cry from the man on my left warned me
Of the sight should behold. The guide beck
oned to me. and together We went up the val
ley ABOUT twenty rods to the spot where they
had obtained most of their hrewood. Lying
ON his face on tho ground. with arms still
elasped about q bundle OF limbs. WAS a dead
man. sitting down. with his back to q small
tree and hands over his face was another
while an axe lay beside him. There WAS no
odor. no Ehastllnsss. AS you looked at them
thsy seemed to be sleeping
Thars another-an another - said the
guide as he pointed up the valley. It's easy
In the wagons they found twenty eight dead.
The four we found made thirty-two Five of
the men had left tho camp. perhaps in mid
winter. and had started up or down the valley
n hopes 70 lind a way out or bring relief Whom
they peTished no man has ever found out. II
may nave Gesn on tho very day they started
that the blizzard came The horses must
have found q sheltered nook somewhere
and huddled together A gale had screamed
up and down that valley for two or
three days, Its breath as cruel as the
edge OF knife. and bringing with 1t such
a iai OF snow that 1t rti lay solid as ice in the
shady spots. Tho men had made brave ef-
Tort 70 Keep tho nrSs going, bat human flesh
ana blood could not stand against an enemy
which drove its frosty hroatli deep into iilnty
rocks and split them in twain. Some lay un-
der their BLANKETS, some SAT with bowed heads
and arms folded across their breasts. The
cold had not tortured them. Death had come
as sleep comes to us at night. quietly and
gratefully. side by side in ono long trench we
laid them and covered them in. and there they
rest Ia. day. forgotten to the world as II they
had never existed.