The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-10-19

per branches, broad and spreading, had
caught me lightly and gently on their
upper surface. #
When had recovered from the shock
Of my long fall, j looked up. About
fifteen feet to one side and just out Of
reach lowered the sheer black rock
from which had falleI. Its top was
now eighty or ninety feet above me.
No escape in that direction.
Round me on every side spread the
dark boughs Of the forest was afoat
upon a sea Of foliage To try it's depths
l climed to the lowest branches and
looked down.
NO hope that way. The trunk Of my
tree, at the lowest branch Of all. was
at least three feet in diameter: 1t in
creased gradually in girth all the way
down to the ground, which must have
Deen more than two hundred feet be-
low. There the tree presumably reached
diameter of seven or eight feet. I
could no more slide down that trunk
than slide down the side of Il house
Inc nelghboring trees We're all Of the
same prodlgious growth, and all desti-
tute OF branches for great height ~
Having ascertained that there was no
way OF getting up or down beyond the
scope given by the branches, climbed
as high as possible and called desper-
ately to my absent friends I knew
they would miss me, and would retrace
their steps in an effort to find me-
But darkness was falling, and soon
saw it was too late to hope for help
| that night .t5
I shouted long and loudly, but the
mountains seemed to laugh as they
- Il.
silent and brooding, while the moon
peeped over the rocky wall and lit the
snowy peaks with 4 pale glory. andt
shone on the dusky surface Of the
woodland,
What could I do? What could nv
comrades do for me, if they found me?
They had no means of reaching me
from the top of the cliff. Perhaps they
could descend and, beginning at the
foot of the vree, chop a series of holes
IN the trunk, in which l could put my
feet and climb down ,...'Fr- - =: +
But this would be a labor Of DAYS.
! Meanwhile, what would become of nv
real estate deal and the business Of the
| syndicate? | was like mariner, ship
| wrecked and mastheaded in the bar
gain.
cumStanceS. l was above the MOSQUITO
line, high and dry, and the air was soft
| and warm and still.
In my pack, which had taken from
my shoulders and slung on q Dough, /
had some boiled bacon, a piece of corn
| bread and a pot of jam. So made
fairly good meal.
After supper I felt quite hopeful
1fo1,i v,rr 1,.N1 TOR rr1n Of
small branches which sloped in toward
springy couch, l laid my head on my
pack, lit my pipe and gazed out upon
the moonlit beauty and grandeur
| around me. '
I alternately smoked and doZed-l
cannot say slept-till daylight.
Once I heard the cry Of a cougar
above me on the rocks. Doubtless he
caught scent of me, but the leap from
the precipice to the tree was too far,
even for him, and he left me in peace.
began to feel quite like bird before
nv friends, in the course Of the morn-
| inc. came back along the trail, shout
! ing at every few steps. They found ME
at breakfast.
sHullo!' I called to the guide, as he
passed above me. The echoes confused
him, and he stared about.
"Hullo! Where are your cried he.
'DoWn here in a tree
was Il small object on the top OF the
| forest, but he soon made me out, with
the aid of my repeated shouting, and
called the otliErs, who soon came pant
ing up. They had followed, the bear
into the woods, and k;tled him just rs
| darkness came on.
Then they could only make camp and
wait for morning, firing signal-shots
| from time to time, which never heard.
because they were on the other side OF
| the mountain wall. In the dry hill air
| q rifle shot is q mere "crack." a,. ~
Now arose the question, How was I
to be delivered? 1t was decided that
| the shortest way was for two of my
| friends to 20 to the nearest settlement
and get all the rope they could find.
| This would take about three days, if
| they Travelled fast. The guide and my
! other conlrade would camp as near me
| as possible, and keep me company
! When the two were gone MY remain
! ing friend, Jack Nelson, inquired, But
what are you going to do about you,:
business at Grays Harbor?' -"
| It'll have to wait" said I.
/ is it very important?' .ta ~
= IT. involves all l have. It was n
sure thing, and put every cent into
it," said l. ':Yet I'm the lightest in
yestor Of tie lot 1t will burt the syn
dictate badly-stagger Them .
Il don't mind about the syndicate"
said Nelson. But do mind about YOU.
Suppose I Keep on to the Harbor-
can't help you? Get 'em to put things
off till you get there, or something's
Put off 4 boom III real estate?'' /
said. ''You might as well put Off a
tornado S vs.
Fact" said Nelson. '.AIightn't ] act
as your agent, then? Do your business
for you"
mo, old man. It's hopeless. You'd
need a written power of attorney to
manage the deal, and, I can't write
and execute one very well down here
'"That's so,' said Nelson, Respondent
ly. Its too bad r.
From where saw him, he seemed to
be sitting in a brown study. Sudden
~ he leaped up with scream.
Il say! he shouted to me- II have
it, old fellow! You arc aware Of your