Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-02-09

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>..u.-..: t,.,. .I.~; Fl VIZ! "a the ot,>cur-
.-. ,,4~ $50, ...... .,f-.t',.,. that We should
'tt,- .li e. e.. ... ..lt MY from tire to
t.... .-..y I..t. .a. t. i.:.i, WHEN light came,
AZ $40 A.,! i,,n travelling in "a circle.
= be L. y e tie s'lu.dcriny k.Ineris at
g. -; !....ctttt the direction We were not 10
taxi. and 'he !. .ht Of the stars was sufi-
c.el.t :" e:.atle Us 10 keep tolerably
straight course We wer. cheerful enough
aS we p.ul,,i CA Only. as 1t began
l. Erow -A', w Al apirchelis;ve g!anccs
behind Us for pursuing Coo>acks, but
hot spcck r,sc out of the great white
plain. The remains Of the etape We're lost
u sight. There was no sign Of Labitation
or living creature between US and the dark
line u far distant forest which bounded
the horizon.
''lt's odd" said Gordon in a tone Of per
I.cXity. after looking about on the snow
around Us. 1t > odd that there are no
marks Of feet SAW by the ticket on the
wall last night that there ere ''O and odd
III the karueras, and one ptIld think that
some of that number surely would take the
path we have chosen. Ihcre were but two
ways TO 20"
1t was mystery o me also, hut thought
1t an advantage. for The majority of the
c''nF!ojs we had pasSct. on the road were
horrible looking villains, the number Of
un>haCkled prisOncrs-men eXiled for po-
Iitical otfenses-being very small indeed
Besides this, it seemed to me that the fewer
footprints there We're in the snow the less
likelihood there was of pursuit being made
in our direction. as there would certainly
be better chance Of making captives in the
oincr. 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 greet pines.
We were not cold, for there was no wind,
and exercise had thoroughly warmed our
blood, but we were tired. and already
hunger was suggesting the question. what
are we to eatf"
But we said nothing on the subject for
some time. fearing to betray our own mis-
givings. AT length Gordon, after looking
round him in silence. said:
"Awfully quiet in here, isn't its"
houocus ioohiNS hTOuuu me also. IN
deed the stiffness was, in the true sense Of
the word, awful
II can't see living thing anywhere" he
continued, land yet there must be, you
know"
'Taras told me there were wolves in the
forests. Are they good to eati"
We'll. I've never tried EN-" he answered
evasively, concealing whatever disagreeable
reflections this question may have suggest
ell, but one thing is certain, they wouldn't
exist If there were nothing for them to eat
II we could knock over a rabbit now, or
even an old crow, we could soon make a
fire to cook him, and then we should be as
right as rain"
He had mechanically filled his pipe and
was now about to light it. He stopped, and
l saw him ruefully counting the small
number of vestas that remained in his box
When they were gone, there would be no
more smoking.
Il say, do you think you could smoke a
Cigarette he asked hopefully. "'Baccy's
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.
Il think / shall enjoy it more presently"
said he, putting his pipe in his pocket.
Then l 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 a
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
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 edging 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 good fire at any rate"
Fuel was not wanting. The edge of the
wood was strewn with broken woodlands
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.
knew then why he had refrained from
smoking all day. Our lives depended on
those vestas. for if they gave out before we
could get fresh supply we must freeze to
death.
As soon as the fire was we'll alight we
scraped narrow trench, about six feet
long, in the thick bed Of fir needles facing
fho Ero md L.
with pine branches piled a mass Of twigs
and rubbish of all kinds on top so as to ex-
clude the cold air. We both worked with
awill, leaving off now and then to put fresh
fuel on the fire, and when it was finished
felt very we'll satisfied with our perform
ance.
Now" said Gordon when we had put
the finishing touch to the roof, creep in
side, mademoiselle, and see If you can get a
few hours Sleep"
But we have got to make another shelter
for you," said I.
mo; one will serve us both-turn and
turn about. 1t won't do 70 let the fire 20
down, you know'-it was in this way he
disguised his fear Of attack by wolves
land promise you to take my full share of
rest as soon as you have had yours"
crept into the trench, and stretching
myself out at full length found that the
springy fir needles made a better bed than
the hard planks of the kameras. It 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 Lit the first pipe
OF the day. 1t was good to see the happy
content in his face as 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 off, and
slept soundly, as it seemed to me, for
good long while. But when I awoke Cor
don declared that it was not yet time to
think about changing the watch, so. not
unwilingly, but perhaps selfshly,
dropped off again.
awoke a second time to find him still
patiently sitting on guard at my feet, but
he gave me the same answer and would
not permit me totake his place. And when.
after a third space Of sleep, he allowed me
to come out. saw by the gray light be-
tween the trees that the night was past.
Then having piled more wood on the fire.
and handed his stick over to me with in
structions to give him "a crack over the
TOE" with it if l heard the slightest sounds
or detected any movement in the surround
Ing trees, he crawled into the trench, and
In few minutes was snoring generously.