Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-01-14


ITS odd" said Gordon In tone OF
perpiexity, after looking about on the
snow around us. ITS odd that there
are no marks OF feet I saw by the
ticket on the wall last night that there
were 600 an odd in the k.meras. aud
one would think that some OF that num-
Der surely would take the path we have
chosen. There were but two ways TO
go"
IL was mystery 20 me also, but
thought 10 an advantage, for the ma jor-
ny OF the convicts We had passed an
the read were horrible looking villains,
the number of unshackled prisoners
men eNiled for political otfeuses--being
very small indeed Besides this. IL
seemed 10 me that the fewer footprints
there were ia the snow the less liKeu-
hood there was OF pursuit being m ade
IN our direction, as there would certain
~ De better chance OF making cap
uNes In the other. When IL grew
lighter. we also struck into the forest
and sat down under canopy OF frozen
snow spread over the meeting boughs OF
the great pines
We were not cold, FOR there was no
wind and exercise had thoroughly
warmed our blood, bat we were tired,
question, what are We 20 sAt?"
But we said nothing on the subiect
for some time, fearing to betray our
own misgivings. At length Gordon,
alter looking round him In silence, said:
"Awiully quiet IN here, isn't it?"
nodded, looked around me also. In
deed the stiffness was, in the true sense
OF the word, awful.
II can't see living thing anywhere"
he continued, and yet there must be-,
you know"
"Iaras told mo there were wolves in
the forests. Are they good to eat?"
well, I've never tried EN-" he an
swered evaslvely, conceallng whatever
.sagreeable reflections this question
may nave suggested, but one thing is
certain, they wouldn't exist IL there
were nothing for them To eat. IL we
could knock over rabbit now, or even
an old crow, we could soon make fire
TO cook him, and then we should be as
right as rain"
lie had mechanically filed his pipe
| and was now about to lightit lie
stopped, and | saw him ruefullv count
Ing tho small number OF vestas that re-
mained In his box When they were
gone, there would be no more smokinL
81 say, do you think YOU could smoke
clgarette?' asked hopefully.
Baccy's "A wonderful comfort at all
times, bat when you're bit pinched,
! You kuow'--
He pulled out his tobacco pouch
temptingly. / told him | would rather
! not Try IL yet awhile.
II think shall enjoy It more pres
entity said he, putting his pipe in his
| pocket.
Then noticed by the impness OF hi,
! pouch as he put that away that his TO.
/ bacco was nearly all gone.
When we began To feel chilly, we
walked on again, keeping under the
/ trees with the hope OF finding some an
| lmal that might serve US for food, tho
| suowdritt that edged the wood being
! our guide.
! Gordon had provided himself with q
stout stick, but we saw no sign OF living
! creature the whole day, aud the only
thing we found 70 eat was some frozer
moss and leathery kind Of lichen
! Ca and on We went, skirting the edge
! OF the plain, through the intermlnRbl,
| forest, until the light began to fade
! then we went out and looked beyond
the drift. The bouudless plain, wifi
the edging OF black pines, was all ",
saw-nothing else.
eve must think now OF making our
selves comfortable for the night" salt
| Gordon as We re-entered the forest
| 1--WE viii have good hre at any rate.
Fuel was not wanting. Tne edge OF
the wood was strewn with broken wooC
limbs torn from the trees by tn,
| gales that swept across tho plain, O
! broken down In the former winters by
| the weight OF ice aud snow. We col
| lected great heap, aud having bull
| the foundation Of our FIRE Gordon, will
! infinite care, struck one OF his precious
| matches and liz the pie OF dry leave.
/ aCd fir cones. / knew then why lie haC
! RETAINED from smoking all day. GU
! lives depended on those vestas, for f
! they gave out before we could get
! fresh supply we must freeze TO death
As soon a. the fire was well alight we
! scraped narrow trench, about six feet
| long, in tho thick bed OF fir needles fac
| ing the fire, and framing kind OF root
| over II with pine branches piled a mass
| Of twigs and rubbish OF all Kinds on tor
so as TO exclude the cold air. We both
worked with a will. leaving of now and
then TO put fresh fuel on the fire, aud
when IL we5 finished felt very well
satisfied with our performance.
Now" said Gordon wnen we had
put the finishing touch on tho roof,
creep inside, madcmOiselle. aud see II
you can get few hours sleep"
"But we have got 70 make another
shelter for you" said ].
"No; ong will serve ms both-turn
aud turn about. IT. won't do to let the
fire. go down, you know" vas In this
way be disguised his fear of attack by
wolves land / promise you TO take my
full share Of rest as soon az you have
had yours"
I crept into the trench, aud stretching
myself out at full length found that the
spriugy DR. needles made a better bod
than tie hard plauks Of the kameras.
IL was pleasantly warm, too With the
heat thrown out by the fire.
Gordon seated himself az the opening.
with bis heavy stick beside him, and
with deep sigh OF satisfaction lit tho
first pipe OF the day. 10 was good 20
SEQ tne happy content in his face as he
slowly smoked, letting the clouds issue
slowly from his lips, and the ieaDing
flames Of the fire beyond him. Indeed,
but for the craving OF hunger. ! had no
reason % COMPLAIN, but a good deal to
Js thankful FOR