Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1894-07-14

that CAME Of long yeats in the wiids,
we did the best We could for our
partner.
Now comes the remarkable part OF
my story. I've seen men down with
the fever. when they go. 50 wild they
had TO be tied, but while Frank was
clear out of his head, he kept Just US
peaceful AS ever, only that he insisted
that up the creek were great caves full
OF gold, and that the specks we had
been picking ont of the gulch came
from there
He wanted us 70 start up there, say
ing we could get all the gold in day
We wanted for lifetime
Of course, Ned Copley anil I
humored Frank, and told him we'd go
if he'd hurry up and get we'll, but he
swore that instead Of being sick he
was as strong as q giant.
The third night after Frank was
.,ken down, he seemed to be resting
quietly, SO Ned and I, who had beep
taking turns watching, thought it
would be safe to drop of to sleep "A
kind of lightly and we did 80.
When we woke up In the early morn
ing, and saw that Frank Edgerton's
cot WAS empty, and MS clothes and
pick and revolver gone, you may try
to imagine, but you can never realize
Just how we felt.
We cooked hasty breakfast, ther
picking up enough provisions from
onr little store to last three days, We
hid the rest, left the mule hid in lit
tie valley where there was lots Of grass.
and then started of to find our insane
friend.
Remembering mis- rawlings ABOUT "the
gold caves" up near the snow Line, we
determine to follow the creek. We
.ouid read a trail ns we'll as an Indian,
but the rocks were too hard to retain
the impression of human foot; yet,
now and then we saw signs to encour-
age us.
The creek branchel into o dozen
streams further up, and it was only
after long consultations that we de-
cided which to take. and then for no
reason that would not have applied
quite as we'll to the other stream.
1t was rough, hard road, and now
and then ns we went on, we stopped to
shout Franks name, or to discharg.
our rifles, but only the echoes came
back for reply.
That night, thoroughly fagyel out,
we halted close to the snow line: in
deed. there were white patches all
about us, and not sign of shrub &c
make fire. With little alcohol
lamp we made coffee, and lay down
under our blankets, spoon fashion, to
keep warm.
We wer, up by daylight, and started
off again, this time without coffee, for
we had only about gill Of alcohol 70,
the lamp. and we reasoned that poor
Frank would want something warm,
If We found bim alive.
Another terrible day and another
awful night. and still no sign ofFranl
Edgerton We gave him up, and Wit
sad hearts were returning, when Ned
who had eyes like telescopes, said h,
saw something moving near the snow
line ACROSS the valley.
There had been an immense snow
Side down the valley, not an horr be
fore, but we got across, and Their
under ledge Of rocks, with erea
pile of loose, glittsring stones abou
him. lay Frank Edgerton, looking lik
dead man.
While Ned made some coffee,
ribbed Frank with snow till his Skin
felt warm, then We forced coffee be
tween his teeth. ani wrapping on,
blanket sbolt him. vienna lie stretch =
| out OF the other ani orr two rides. s.
as to carry him down 20 camp, no eas,
| Job. can tell you
| Just as we were abo1t II sta OF
! Ned noticed the piles OF stoues :
Franks pockets were fill 0: them :
and those lying abou. had eviiensl,
been brought there bv him Bl. the,
were fully ore-han soiid gold.
Frank Elgerton hal discovered IL
cave. ot his ;eve-ei DREAMS
We got MIN bac. - camp. aa "
took turns nursing him Aad car-siI
down the gold so nvster!oaslv foua