Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-05-19
ON THE EMIGRANTS ROCK.

We are travelling down the San
Pedro Valley of Arizona-thr San
Pedro River on the right and tn" Pima
lrno range of mountains on the left.
We have four wagons with double
teams. six horses under saddle and
twenty loose mules. The rich grazing
land is also fair for travelling and on
this day we have made Il full thirty
miles There are no hostile Indians to
look out for. and the hearlS of cattle
we have passed AT intervals have
moved aside in Albright. Half an hour
before Sundown we halt and go into
camp on the bank of Bull Creek. which
is Il fork of the San Pedro rising in
the mountains. There ar" II" trees.
and the camp is on perfectly lrve.
ground. Towards the river. however.
and Il quarter of Il mile away. is Emi-
grants Rock. 1t is Il great rock rear
ing its head twenty feet above the
earth. with sides >lop:ng so sharply
that Il climber must have both hands
free to make the ascent. There is no
other rock nearer than the mountains
not even Il Ston" the size of your
fist to nr picked up in an hours
search. After supper as W" lighted
plii IbltS iill'i Sllblltt IbotIi llIItt WI
four of us walked out to the rock ana
around il. 1t will always be one of
the sights of San Pedro With that
rock at their backs the thirty men of
an cmigrant train once "Stood Off Il
band of Indians numbering over 400.
Lying fiat on the crest of the rock. up
which they had pulled each other and
their guns by knotted lariatS. ten cav
nrymrn fought all day long with 2On
redskins. and when rescued at sun
down every man was twice wounded,
and little rivu.r1S of hi :od ran down
the back sides of the grim mass. An
Indian S!gnaltirr from that rock was
answered from Il peak of the Pinalrnp
Mountains. and the Aparht> crossed
the New Mexico line for IL bloody raid
towards Tucson.
How came it here" Iucrrd of
our grizzly old guide ana hunter as
SAW him pcrring towards the crest
through tn" darkness.
Hand of God. mebhr." he quietly
replied as he turned away.
AT 10 o'clock we are all under our
. blankrtS-a.l bu, the old scout. He is
wakrful and uneasy. The sun Went
down in Il blaze of glory and twilight
brought out the twinkling stars hv
thousands. but he grows uneasy rs he
scans the heavens. He feels what he
cannot see or hear Down in the
southwest Il thunderstorm is gather
ing. There is not Il breath of air stir
ring in the valley. A gust from tn"
range may send the storm up the val
ley. but the chances are remote. And
suppose it comes? The covered wa.
onS will shelter the men. anl us for
take ii amiSS. The old scout believes
us all asleep. but | am wide awake
and watching him. AS he shifts ut
the air ! reason out that he feels the
influence of the far-away thunder
cloud. He lies down and puts his ear
to the ground. Mine is already there.
and have felt the rcvcrbrralionS OF
the thundcr-clapS among the hi Is. The
scout rises to his feet and stands lok-
ing towards Emigranr Rock. For five
minutes he seems to be- Il figure of
stone. He is listening As well as watch
ing.
What is it. Joc:" | ask as | sill up.
"Nuthn'. boy-go to Sleep" he
growlS us he sits down by the dying
camp fire AMI fills and lights his
pipe.
It's his way | whisper to myself
as | close my eyes and turn my head
away. "A wild horse turns around
twice before lying down to rest: Il wolf
three times: Il steer twice: an antelope
four times; b.ack-tailed deer twice:
Il coyote or Il iack-rabbit only once.
The scout was born in forest cabin
and reared on the plains. Like Il wild
animal. he must see that all is safe
before he SurrenderS himself to sleep"
And 50 fell asleep as he sat there
and smoked. and the sleep was deep
and lreamlcSS. us it always is with
men who are tired ana fear no
danger.
Get up! Get up, Every man of
You tumble up and make for the rock
1t was the voice of the old Scour.
He not on.y shouted at us. but hero
and there he pulled Il sleeper to his
feet and gave him IL savage shake
What is it,
Quick to the big rock don't wait
for anything. Are you all here: Then
come on for your lives"
All We're ShoeleSS and barrhcndcd-
some half-,lrcsSed. As we started
there was Il flash of lightning So vivid
that the eye could see clear across the
valley. 1t was yet quivering when
there came Il crash of thunder which
seemed to hcavc the ground beneath
our feet 1t was Il short. swift run
IL dash up the eastern side of the rock
all tog"thcr-a dozen inquiries as we
reached the crest as to what had hap
prned.
"D'yr hear that" hoarscly whisper
ed the scout in answer and pointing
to the south.
There was Il believing ii rimbling-