The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-11-29
LOST IN THE WILDERNESS.
The Personal Experiences of Three
lDInnocents Abroad, Narrated for the
Benefit OF Anyone Else Who'll .
May be Caught in
Similar Predic.
ament.

the way we came, or attempt to make
the descent along faint trace of an old
log road. Frank preferred a sure thing,
and wanted to go back, rough as the
way was He knew we could find our
way out, by retracing our tracks. But,
he didn't know where we might bring
up by following these slight traces of
ancient log ways around the mountain.
But Frank was out voted. Wiser (?)
counsels prevailed, and we moved slowly
and very cautiously ahead, friend Col.
Inns and Yours Truly scouting along in
front, searching for the road. At last,
the way headed almost straight down
the mountain. We locked the wheels
with the hitching strap, and digging
our heels into the shale, pulled back on
the rear axle with all our strength, to
save Frank and the vehicle from over
whelming the horses. 1t was fearful
plunge, but we landed safely. Then
there was division in the trail. One
faint trace seemed to go down the hill
to the right and the other followed along
the mountain side to the left
After exploring the two ways until
we found that to the left was entirely
impracticable, and that to the right not
much better, we took the latter, perforce
of necessity. When we were not plung
ing down some steep, we were breaking
limbs, moving fallen trees, battering
down brush, or holding back on the
rear axle, with our heels plowing the
rocky earth, in order that Frank might
better guide the vehicle through the
close set forest trees, where often there
wasn't an inch to spare. At length,
with terrific rush, we went down a
desperate declivity, and found ourselves
in the broad bed of creek.
Bakers fork of Brush !" said Collins,
"just look at that" He pointed with
rapture to the towering cliffs and beau
tiful scenery on every hand. Indeed, it
did seem to be Natures boudoir OF love-
illness.
The water was low, averaging depth
OF less than foot across a wide and
rocky bed OF twenty five to thirty yards
So far as we could see, it might be
possible to drive up or down the creek
till we came to some outlet. 1t was |
either this, or the fearful alternative of |
climbing the mountain again and going |
back the road we came, in which case
darkness would almost certainly over.
take US. AS we didn't even have
match along, this was contamination
to be devoutly dreaded. But, if we
wasted time in the creek, and then had
to go back, night in the dense dark.
ness OF the forest was certain.
Hastily, friend Collins secuted up the
creek, while we went down. He soon
reported that, there was no chance
above.
Below, we found it barely possible TO
make our way out through some breaks
between the cliffs. But, then what
Besides, there were old fallen trees and
great beds OF DRIFT across the creek. The
trees, however, seldom reached clear
across, and the Grift looked as ii we
might crowd around it. At one point
where the channel was narrow huge
tree fallen from one shore was lodged
against the opposite cliff. ii the pool
below was deep enough, we could drive
under, if not, then our hopes were at
an end, for our carriage top could not
be lowered.
We decided to try it..
Carefully, anxiously Frank urged his
cam along through the whirling waters
while his guides afoot, trod the narrow
shores when they could, and leaped
along from rock when they had to.
By margin of an inch or two the
carriage passed under the leaning tree,
and we clambered out OF the creek bed, 8
Up between the lofty rocks, and out into
he forest clad mountain sleeps. After [
moving aimlessly wherever we could, i
We found ourselves at the end OF our
imagined road, in deep ravine. We
nad already, with hand spikes showed
rec trunks from the old track, but we
could 60 no farther The more we tried
% cramp the vehicle the worse our con.
1ition, for the fill of old rotten logs was
giving away. Bodily, by main strength
We lifted the carriage about, while the
patient horses meekly awaited the re.
suit. By and by, we were turned back.
ward, and found our way again into The
creek.
How We managed to get farther down
hat rocky bed, only Frank can tell.
Ahead, were his guides on the lookout
for some exit. Several times We found
what seemed the course OF some former
road. But, taught wisdom by exper.
ience, we left the buggy waiting and
secuted out on each of these till they
were lost in the impenetrable wilder
ness.