The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-11-30
IN THE

was followed by the usual S'errah pne-
nomenon. The deep gorge whicn' as 'iie
sun went down had lapsed into da'hheS7'
presently began to reappear; AT hrSt "a. ~
vanished trail came back as NlNiuiy
whitening streak in the night; theh inc
larches and plains that assembled from II
like buttresses against the hiilsides Glhh-
mered in ghostly distinctness, unul AZ
last the two slopes curved out or the uai
ness If hewn in marble. For the SUI
den storm. which extended scarcely t"o
miles, had left no trace upon the steep
granite face Of the high cliffs above; the
snow slipping silently from them. LETT them
still hidden in the obscurity OF night IN
the vanished landscape the gorge alone
stood out. set In chaos or cioud All"
storm. through which the moonbeams
struggled Intellectually.
Ii was this unexpected sight which burst
upon the occupants Of a large covered sta
ton wagon" who had CHANGED upon the
lower end Of the gorge. Coming from a
stilI lower altitude. they had known MOTH
tn., of the storm which had momentarhy
ceased but had left n record of intensity
in nearly two feet of snow. FOR some mo
1nents tho horses foundered and struggled
on in what the travellers believed TO 10
some old forgotten drift or avalanche I'M
I'll the extent and freshness OF the IAN
became apparent. To add TO their dlincUi-
ties the storm recommended. and not com
pretending its real character and hmlt'
they did not dare to attempt TO return the
wav they came. To go on, however Was
impossible. in this quandary they looked
about them in vain for some other exit
from the gorge. The sides OF that gigantic
white furrow terminated IN darkness.
Hommed i'm from tho world in all direc-
tons. it might have been their tomb.
But although they could see nothing be-
yond their prison walls. they themselves
tht hHffrnTG
shove them. And Jack Tenbrook, quartz
miner. who was sinking a tunnel In tho
rocky ledge Of shelf above tho gorge, step
ping out from his cabin 1T 10 o'clock 70
take q look at the weather before turning
In, could observe distinctly the outline OF
the black wagon. tho E0undoring horses
and tho croUching figures by their side.
scarcely larger than pigncs on tho white
surface OF snow, thousand feet below
him. Jack had courage ard strength and
tho good hum0r that accompanies them,
bat ne coutented himself for few mo-
ments with laZily observing the travel
ers discontinue. He had taken in the
situation with q glance; he would have
helped brother miner or mountalneer,
although he knew tina; It could only have
been drink or bravado that brought him
into the gorge in STOW storm, hut it was
very evident that these were "grcenborns,"
or eastern tourists, and it served their stu
pidity and arrogance right! he remem-
bered, also how he having once helped
an eastern visitor catch the mustang that
had "bucked' him, had been called my
man." ana presented with So; no recalled
how no had once spread the humble re-
sources OF his cabin before some straying
aember9 OF the san Francisco party who
were Opening" the new railroad. and
heard the audible wonder Of q lady that q
civilized being could ike so "coarseIy!,
With these rccCiectious in his mind he
managed 10 survey the distant struggling
horses with a fine sense OF humOr. not
unnlxed with straightforward. There
was no real danger in the situation; 1t
meant at the worst a delay and camping
fu inc snow Till morning, when he would
go down 20 their assistance. They had a
spacious travelling equipage. and were, no
doubt Wen supplied with furs, robes and
provisions for a several hours journey;
lis own pork barrel was quite empty and
his blankets worn. He half smiled, extend
ed ms long arms IN a decided yawn. and
turned back into his cabin TO go to bed.
chen he cast a final glance around tho
interior. Every thing all right; his
loaded rifle stood against the wall; he had
just raked the ashes over the embers OF
his fire 10 keep II Intact till morning. Only
one thing slightly troubled him. grizzly
bear. two-thirds grown, but only hair
tanned. which had been given to him By
1uH6 'e"S H'-'+e" -'-'S7t
charming and historic slli Add o9c,"eu 70
accompany Eer paFalytIc ioVcF 10 the =" !
FRANCISCO hoSp''di Vas MISSING nat tFc--
idS. IL had neen as resl'dr naoll 10 Oo'''7
10 the door every alehl fof Some S"etI d.
cult or sugar before SoiHs 70 lts ltir III inc
ugdarbrush behind tAe cap1n. tvcfyoo-y
knew it along the length ard breadth or
Hamlocl Ridge ga well as the Iact OF its
being a. legacy Of the TAR exile 10 riie
had ever yet been raised against the il@y
hu,k or the stupid snal--eyed heaa' a."
"u2 OF circliHs hairs made more ere1e oF
It's weI-woIn leather eoA3f. Cohsoiis
himself with the thought Sn2t the STORM
had prOoahly ce-4y GU Us I''u.'i' ''tN 80
OF lis coat and threw II en- his punk. but
from thinking OF The storm MS thoughts
naturally returned again To the lmpeoed
traveIova below hiIa. aud he half mcchaul-
ea4y stepped out again IN mis- shirt sleeves
ior q final look at them.
Isut here some thing occurred that changed
his resolution entirely. Hc had previous. Y
noticed only the three forc5Lorl eued. crawl
inc a.,r.s around the new stationary
,,-.-,, bui- They were now spuarently
,-55t,-.- ,,.-,,,e.s,,,rt- "a cgmp for no
p,4 -,,,,i,e, G.,,r. hod boon 911ot
-, 80 a. : God narcbad uro1
~ ---@ t-''-'-' -