The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1898-08-06
MOUNTAIN STORM.
Graphic Description of the Angry Ele-
ments ia the Cascades.

ments ia the Cascades.
The atmosphere is surcharged with
electricity. and everything betokens q
storm. l enjoy mountain storm if it
occurs in the summer time. | like to
see the trees-huge pinec, whose long
arms reach longingly and loomingly
to the heavens above them bend and
sway in the tempest. and hear them
creak and twist, until they lay prone
upon the earth, from which, thou
sand years a@", they sprang into exist
ence.
One time I happened to be with a
party camping away up on the side of
Mt. Adams, in canyon, that was des-
titute of trees, with the exception OF
fallen ones that were whitened by time
and storms. Across the canyon were
pine, fir, spruce and hemlock trees.
A wind storm came up in the after
noon. [ heard the, trees wailing, and
moaning and signing. as their tops.
one by one, came crashing to the
ground, and once in a while some
mighty tree measured it's huge length
upon the side of the hill which bore it.
To ne it was grandly sad, and remind
ed me of human lives that in the
storms of life are suddenly dashed into
eternity.
The wind carried the clouds to the
east aad leaves of naples and quak-
iug-aspen hurried after. Birds went
fiying hither and thither searching for
a secure resting place, and speaking to
each other in unmistakable tones of
fear at the storm which was brewing.
That night we had rain and light
ming: thunders rolled and dashed
against the rugged sides of the noun
tain up there until all nature seemed
to be in turnultous fury: in vengeance
perhaps with the wood for having
committed some act not in accordance
and in harmony with natures teach
ings. The glaciers sent huge bolders
hurting down the mountain into He'll
Roaring Canyon, until the echoes
reverberated aud set the denizens of
the woods into furious excitement. and
the whole world seemed full of sounds.
Upon the hill above us lone cayote
set up its weird chant, long walls of
pitiful pleading to the god of the storm
to be merciful TO the children of the
woods. The notes of the cayote were
followed by the scream of the panther,
whose voice sounded so very much like
that of a woman; soon the yeOwl of the
wild cat was heard and then all three
sang a trio which finally merged into
quartet as our dog wanted to have q
voice Ia the matter, and then it was
that the tragedy of nature began. In
the lull of the tempest the whole ear, b
seemed light with that provided by
the rm-god, then the grand opera
by the wolf, panther and other animals
began, followed by peals and peals of
thunder, more lightning and then
wind, with its accompaniment offallen
trees.
To me the program was success. in
every detail. l sat in the doorway of
the tent and enjoyed it every bit.
The next morning the world was
bathed in sunlight as old Sol came
peeping over the hill tops, ashamed
and like naughty child after little
stormy uemper; but finally came boldly
up and kissed his hand to every living
thing and making the rain drops on
leaf and blade and rock, glisten like
millions of diamonds tnat made the
world look brighter for having en-
dured the storm.
SD it Is with life; if we weather the
storm we are better for having done
so. Yours
HERBE MARINE.