The sun., 1897-08-22

dubious headshakes and suppressed jokes upon
the latest idea OF the 'tenderfoot outfit The
taking boxes were conundrums that were inva-
riably given up by all hands.
I'VE had obtained most OF our camping equip
uent and stores through the courtesy of the
authorities at Fort Wingate, where delightful
day was spent, and were off for the Mesa early
on the morning Of July 10. We had been ma
terially aided in our preparations by the kind
services Of Mr.. Marmon at Laguna, at whose
hospitable house We had spent several
days. Our party was increased by
the addition OF Gordon ID. Pearce and
cook. All our effects were loaded upon
two large wagons. and three of us. with
tho idea of making the loads lighter for
the teams, started ahead to walk. thinking that
they would ovcrtake US when the level roads OF
the Acoma Valley were reached. Evening
came, and the teams were nowhere in sight, and
were still walking. We passed by and gazed
upon the Mesa with some wonder and consider
ably more reverence than We had previously
felt for II, and rs Acoma Rock was but three
miles distant we decided to push on and take
our chances for bed and supper there, rather
than wait for our beael companions on the
wagons. 1t was we'll we did so. for we were well
treated. and the supper touched q sypathctic
chord after that long walk Of about twenty-six
miles, without dinner and with but one drink or
have been very inviting had it not been wet.
:" The next morning. after a substantial meal.
we saw a camp fire just at the foot OF the Mesa,
and we knew that our party had arrived. After
On hours walk we rejoined them. Then prclim-
inary search was inade for camp. One available
water tank, about half mile east OF the Mesa
was all that offered itself. and a location was
chosen near this spot. Here the tents and camp
stores were deposited, and the rest OF the equip.
ment after a careful study of the face of tho
Clin had been made, was taken to point near
the southern end OF the rock. which seemed
best fitted for our attack. The rest OF the day
was taken up in fitting up tho camp, and then
our teams departed for Laguna.
We were Joined tho next day by Mr.. Knapp,
who had been interested in the enterprise and
asked to be allowed to watch the proceedings.
Ho and his pony proved valuable allies during
the next few days.
"On Wednesday morning tho shotllne vas
faxed by running 1t around the series Of tall pegs
fastened In the edge of the bottom Of the box.
which had been removed from the box. The line
passed diaKOnaliy across the board from one pin
20 another until one layer had been put in posi-
uon; then tho next layer was run on In
such manner that it lay at right
enges to the one below II, and OH until all the
s5cs % 6set b had been cood np Then the top and
fastened down; The whole box was th,n turned
removed with It's pins. This resulted in leaving
the rope coIled in the box in such a condition
that one layer would be removed at a time, and
ducing one tremendous snarl. The whole was
As free as a bundle OF snowhakcs.
snd mounted Meanwhilo the end po Of 'tne the shot
line had been soaking In a pail OF water, TO pre-
der upon tho discharge OF tho gun. The shot
was long, cylindrical mass OF iron weighing
pounds both ends we're cpGnsa bnt
inchos In length, in he end OF which was q cir
eHlar opening through which the cord passed
powder in little flannel bag wero placed in the
gun. the shot pushed down upon II, and then
away from behind the gun. The lanyard was
pulled. = thunderops echo resounded from tho
over IN its flight and then sped away toward
the elin: Alasi i was only tow ard the cliff; tho
sEesty ~ md d9 degrees h%oIsh sp
the shot clear OF tho top II struck about 100
feet below the top burst into two pieces and.
leaving great scar oh tho face OF tho rock its
p&rts iel to the rubbish l,eap at the base OF tho
sin, where they were afterward found Tho
trouble with coils about bushes and rocks
which were peculiarly perverse. 1t was faxed
second shot. The roar of the little cannon
,"s, C"s once more heard, tho limo ratified
" our delight clear sky was seen between the
mot and the tor OF the rock. The shot reached
US rea.est height almost directly over tho Mesa
an IN It's downward hight canlo close 10 tho
H,hsr side of the rock. Finally the cord stopped
IenNlnK the box, and we knew from the fact that
very little was lett In the box that II must bo
very near the bottom opposite TO us, Tor an
Singular measurement had given tho height OF
the clin at about 500 feet. We went TO tho
olher side recovered the shot which had done
ench good Work for us made the limo fast TO A
SSH sd on that side and went TO dinner, well salts
step had been successfully taken toward tie
mastery OF tho Mesa, '
Tho next two days were devoted to the haul
tbs o, iyely heavier ropes over tho top OF
the Mesa ms WIS u tedious Job because Of
tho length OF tho lines. There were mterrun.
Eons IN lhc proceedings several times hut they
we're moi serious. and each was overcome with.
out much trOublc. With The increasing sizo and
HolKht OF lhe rope. the friction became preatar
upon the top OF tho Mesa, which had ostimatsd
~ tsSN tsSl IN width. The arSt Ines WeTe