Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1894-03-03

path we have chosen. There were but two
ways to &C."
Il was mystery to me also. but thought
IL an advantage, for the majority OF the
convicts we had passed ON the road were
horrible looking villains. the number Of
unshackled pFisoners-men exiled for po-
litical offenses-being very small indeed
Besides this, IL seemed to me that the fewer
footprints there were In the snow the less
likelihood therj was of pursuit being made
In our direction as there would certainly
be better chance Of making captives 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
. houghso Of the great pines.
i We were not cold, for there waa no wind,
and exercise had thoroughly warmed our
blood. but we were tired, and already
hunger was suggesting the question. what
| are We 70 sass"
But We aaid neshing sa che sabjees sos
nome tims, feasfng TO betrsy our own mis-
givinga AT length Gordon. after lookfna
round him In silence, said:
"Awfully quiet In here. isn't fts"
I nodded. looking around me also In
deed the stiffness was, In the true sense Of
the word. swfuL
II can't see living thing anywhere" he
continued. "and yet there must be. you
know"
"Taras told me there were wolves In the
forests Are they good to eat"
| "Well, I've never tried 'em," he answered
svasivsly, concealing whatever disagreesble
reflections this question may have suggest
cd, but one thing Is certain, they wouldn't
exist If there were nothing for them 70 eat.
II we could knock over . rabbit now. OF
even an old crow, We could soon make
| fire TO cook him, and then we should be a.
| right as rain"
| He had mechanically filled his pipe and
was now about to light 1t. He stopped, and
I saw him ruefully counting the small
number Of vestas that remained In his box.
When they were gone, there would be no
more smoking.
~ say. do you think you could smoke
cisarettei" he asked hopefully. "'Baccy's
q wonderful comfort at all times. but when
you're bit pinched, you know"--
He pulled out his tobacco pouch tempt
ingly. told him would rather not try
It yet awhile.
II think shall enjoy 1t more presently"
said he. putting his pipe in his pocket.
Then noticed by the limpness Of his
pouch as he put that away that his tobacco
was nearly all gone.
When we began to feel chilly, we walked
on again. keeping under the trees with the
hope Of finding some animal that might
serve us for food, the snowdrift that edged
the wood being our guide.
Gordon had provided himself with .
stout stick. but we saw no sign Of living
creature the whole day. and the only thing
we found to eat was some frozen moss and
/ q leathery kind Of lichen. On and on
| we went, skirting the edge Of the plain,
through the interminable forest, until the
light began to fade: then we went out and
looked beyond the drift The boundless
plain. with the edginR Of black pines. was
all we saw-nothing else.
I'VE must think now of making our
selves comfortable for the night" said
Gordon as we re-entered the forest I'VE
will have a good fire at any rate"
Fuel was not wanting. The edge Of the
wood was strewn with broken wood-limbs
torn from the trees by the gales that swept
across the plain. or broken down in former
winters by the weight Of ice and snow. We
collected great heap, and having built the
foundation Of our fire Gordon. with inf
mite care, struck one of his precious matches
and lit the pile of dry leaves and fir cones.
| I
smoking all day. Our lives depended on
those vestas. for II they gave out before we
could get fresh supply we must freeze 70
death.
As soon as the 6re was well alight we
ssraped narrow trench, about six feet
long, In the thick bed of fir needles facing
the fire. and framing kind Of roof over II
with pine branches piled q mass Of twigs
and rubbish Of all kinds on top so as to ex-
clude the cold air. We both worked with
Q will, leaving off now and then to put fresh
fuel on the fire, and when it was finished
felt very well satisfied with our perform
ance.
Now" said Gordon when we had put
the finishing touch to the roof. creep in
side. mademoiselle. and see IL you can get Q
few hours sleep"
But we have got to make another shelter
for you," said l.
"No; one will serve rs both-turn and
turn about. It won't do to let the fire 60
down. you know"-it was in this way he
disguised his fear Of attack by wolves
'and promise you to take my full share Of
rest a. soon as you have had yours."
erept into the trench and stretching
myself out at full length found that the
springy Ar needles made better bed than
the hard plsnks of the kAmeras. Il was
pleasantly warm. too. with the heat thrown
out by the fire.
Gordon seated himself at the opening.
with his heavy stick beside him, and with
deep sigh Of satisfaction liz the first pipe
of the day. II was good TO see the happy
content In his face e. he slowly smoked.
letting the clouds issue slowly from his
lips. and the leaping flames Of the fire BE-
yond him. Indeed, but for the craving Of
hunger, had no reason to complain. but q
good deal to be thankful for.
1t was not long before dropped of. and
slept soundly. as 1t seemed to me, for a
good long while. But when awoke Cor
don declared that It was not yet time %
think about changing the watch; so. not
unwillingly. but perhaps selhshly.
dropped OF again.
Iawoke o second time to hnd him still
patiently sitting ON guard at my feet. but
he gave me the same answer and would
not permit me to take his place. And when
after third space Of sleep. he allowed me