River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-02-23
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AsfNHsf~ - GAI chi r>Ns
Life IN the Western wilderness When the
EEariss- e-s ssld Night Eegins to Fade.
1t is still night
In the darkness not > sonnd can be
heard save nov and then the stamp of
a horses hoof on the frozen ground or.
family. their plucking of the grass, for
the horses begin 70 feed early.
The sounds of the middle night are
hushed. The owls long ago stopped
their ho0ting. AMI now on noiseless
wings are masing their last hunting
rounds before the day shall come.
Within the lodge 1t is darker than
without. On the ground in the middle
can be seen pale shndow-the white
ashes of the long-cold fire; above.
through the smoke hole. is a patch of
sky less black than the invisible inclos-
ing walls and in this bit of the heav-
ems shine two stars.
In circle about the fireplace are
shapeless white masses-the sleeping
forms of men. They are silent and mo-
tionless.
Now on the still air very family is
heard distant tone of music; sweet
whistle, at first low, rising and falling.
then Cradu lly becoming more distinct
1t comes nearer and nearer until il fills
the air all about. then passing on, re-
cedes. grows fainter. till at last the
sound is lost. The wild ducks are fly
ing.
From the lake comes far-off trumpet
note. and then another-the mellow
call OF wild geese.
The world is awakening. The day IS
near.
The stars which looked in at the
smolze-hole are paling now. Upon the
horizon in the cast lies line of gray,
which slowly broadens and makes twi-
light where all before was dark.
The outlines OF the tree trunks are
seen standing out like ghosts reaching
out shadowy arms. as IL feeling their
way through the Ill mness- The chirp
and flut;er of migrating birds that
throug the night slept in the low
bushes begin to be heard.
As the light grows, dusky shapes APP
pear in the little park behind the camp
the horse feeding Close to the lodge
door two dogs are curled up in the
grass. still asleep. Their long black
coats are white here and there with
frost. and in their sleep their muscles
twitch as they shiver from the cold; yet
their rest is sound
Day is at hand.
Now stir is heard within the lodge.
There are muffled grunts and groans,
a yawn or two, the rustling of cloth
ing, then the faint sound of footsteps.
and suddenly the pale glare of match
increasing to little glow as the
shavings catch, and then to n bright
flicker which lights up the whole lodge
as the larger sticks take fire and
,rackle, and white smoke and few
sparks float from the smoke hole.
Soon the door Of the lodge is thrown
back. a man steps ont and looks
lbout. yawns and shivers. He breaks
he ice in the water-bucl1et and pours
some in n basin.
Others in the lodge are getting up.
Voices are heard. The men of the
amp pass in and ont at the door.
Some prepare breakfast, others busy
themselves about the packs and lash
The bundles. Two of them build cor
raj of ropes about three trees, and then
start off to drive in the horses. Soon
these are seen coming toward the camp.
The men spread themselves out and
irive the animals into the inclosure.
where they are caught and tied up.
While this is being done the call to
breakfast is heard
Meantime the light has spread itself
over al the heavens In the east the
strealsy clouds have flushed to deep red
md paled again to richest gold. To
the west the snow.clad mountains are
wrapped in a garment of rose. Looking
,gain toward the east. the sun appears
over the prairie ridge.
The day has come Forest and
Stream