The record-union., 1893-07-25

rifle? oh, yes, L remember now; I
set 1t up against tree. OF course l did
not want to carry it when l knew l was
going right back,'' l replied.
Well" said Stiles, al suppose we are
to go with you for the bear. Isn't it time
we were starting?"
es," l replied, "but think you had
better arrange to send four or five pack
animals, for [ think you will have to cut
the pear up in order to pack him in."
IF we find him" remarked Jim,
Stiles told the hostler TO rig up two
pack-horses and send Frank up the trail
with them, keeping to the right above
the cold spring, and then we were of. 1
beck oned to Stiles and asked him to get the
ladies inside, while got across the road.
The ladies snickered considerable, but
moved into the house. l tied my hand
kerchief around my hips, and we started.
We had no difficulty in following my
trail till we reached the head of TENET
Gulch, where we found large patch of
chaparral.
(Which side of this did you go % asked
Stiles
For the life of me could not tell.
There is sign" said Ben, land I
guess 1t is piece of the Captains coat"
And here is another" yelled Tom,
who was little farther in, land it is the
color of his pants"
A"h4hS our range from tnofe, we soon
1ound another, aud had no difficulty in
nndlng the trail after this, but it was a
naru one TO follow. | had ''blazed" the
line, as 1t We're, and that accounted for
the ragged condition OF my clothes.
Beyond the chaparral we found it much
sleeper, and the large trees We're beconI-
ing quite thick. l had LETT no flags here,
put my footprints were quite plain. They
We're from SIX 10 eight feet apart, and |
had apparently come down the steep hill
quite lively, Tor my heels had dug into
The soft soil at every jump.
After while the hill became more
level and the tracks less distinct. In
fact, we had lost the trail, when Tom,
who was we'll ahead, sung out
Here is tiag!'
And so there was. On the top of an
old log, some four feet through. was a
protrudihg plne-knot with a portion OF
inc seat OF my punts fast TO it, As Tom
Jumped over the log he sang out:
Heres the Captains rifle! l guess he
set 1t up in hurry, for the muzzIe is
crautlGed fall of dirt"
Well" | said, do you suppose
stopped to drive pins in the log TO keep
it from ialling?n
Just then Jim, who was about seventy
i've yards from us, sang out:
Here IS the Captains bear, or er wood
chuck. or something's
Noodchuck, indeed! Now, I will say
right here that | had that bear weighed
when we got TO the hotel, and he weighed
Just 544 pounds. l am going to send his
SKIN to Napa 10 have it dressed and made
llIto buggy robe. II will make a good
sized one, too-that is, by taking three or
four goatskins tor a border.
Jerome Fay came up at this time. He
aald he had waited at the turn of the hill
Tor me nearly Two hours and then started
to hunt me up. The boy with the pack
animals having arrived we blindfolGed
one OF them ana soon had the bear lashed
on, and all started for the hotel, Jerome
going with the boy and pack train. While
me rest OF us tcol the shorter cut on foot
we arrived home all right, except that |
WAS pretty tired.
just before we reached the road |
sent Jim ahead to bring me my overcoat.
The day was pretty warm and it was
rather uncomfortable, but it partially
covered my ragged clothes.
While we were standing in front of the
hotel MIR. Stiles came out with an old
Mackinaw blanket and, handing it to
James, he remarked that it would com
pare iavOrably with my pants. and told
MN to take me down to the barber-shop
and see how nicely he could fix me up.
started at once, and on arriving at
the shop l pulled OFT my oVercoat ana
turned all around so that Jimmy could
see what he had TO do, as it brought US
face to face l was astonished to see such
discouraged look on Jimmy's face.
The blanket had dropped to the floor ana
both his hands were raised.
Tvs no USE" said he, mo use. There
amt pants enough left to make a patch
fast to-"
Well, as | realized my predicament l
slipped on my overcoat again and, but
toning it up close, l started back for the
hh
building heard the dinner-bell ring, l
thought was well fixed for dinner, any
way, ana being pretty hungry / Went
direct to the dining-room. AS | passed
IN Jane, the stewardess, sang out:
Law sakes, Cap'n, what's the matter
sick? ihere, Tom, light fire at once
the Cap'n's got chill ~
| eXDostulated with her. for. Won son
my seat was close to the stove. but it was
no use. AS the ire began to crackle land
everyone who has ever seen dry pine wood
lighted knows that that did not take
long, Jane sang out to Sarah to BRING
the Cap'n plate Of soup right out of the
coppers. l think this was the hottest
soup l ever tasted, and by the time had
mastered it felt a small rivuIet trickling
down my back.
L tackled my chicken, but when Jane
sang out, Hot pudding!" there was a
good-slzed brook running down my
Dack, ana / became discouraged |
showed back my chair, and as | rushed
from the room | could hear Jane saving
Good for you-hot! Whatever ais
the man?"
AS passed out of doors 1 met the stage
agent and told him to reserve me an out
SIDE seat to Ager in the morning.
All right" he said, but you will find
it rather cold so early in the morninp.V
"Cold?'' | replied; 80 much the bet
ter; cool place is just what l am look
ing for"
The stage passage secured, | went to
my room to pack, and also to write YOU.
viii take the cars at Ager for Sisson.
could get clothes at Montague, but will
go on to Sisson where it is cooler. The
first thing after my arrival will be TO buv
a suit OF clothes | will then go down to
the old Sisson place and hunt up Indian
Charley. | will get him to take his pack
animal and camping outfit and start
with me in the morning up Mount
Shasta. We will go till we reach the
snow-belt and will camp right there. and
| will remain there until l get cooled off,
II 1t takes week. Yours, atfectionately,
UNCLE ALBERT,
When Weary and Languid