Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-02-09
moss and in the difference in the length OF

IL lost III bne Guy, SOIHeoHe khoW@ W
tell you the way; il lost in an inhabited
country, one comes soon to clearing and
house. But l was lost in the Maine
wilderness, alone, with but little food,
knowing we'll the probability that a per-
son will travel in circle, because Of the
muscles OF the rignt side being stronger.
Then | stopped to rest and to reason, IL a
lost person can be said o have the ability
to DO 50. 1t seemed to me that had been
travelling on the trail, northwest, and
since turning had taken direction
nearly opposite. My cabin was in the
valley OF ariver whose basin | knew for
miles above where | now thought myself
to be, so my decision was to travel due east
till | struck some familiar landmark
which might direct me to house and food.
Rested by my halt, and spurred on by
the thought Of being lost, l pushed on
rapidly. The perspiration caused by my
hurrying, and the showers OF damp
snow that showered down upon me
as the day advanced, wet me as completely
as shower OF rain. No stop for lunch
now, as l hoped to reach home by
midnight at the latest. My last food was
eaten on the tramp-a bit of brown bread
washed down with drink from a snow
pool. Expectant, hopeful, trudged on
till near sunset, when l came to a small
lake which looked familiar but was far
from where thought myself II this be
Hermit lake, it has on it's southern shore
landmark which l cannot mistake. |
turned squarely to the right and the
right turn it proved, for there on the
shore was 1.-The Old Man rock", granite
face, with beard, long hair and broad hat,
a typical hunters face.
AS gazed on that mute thing | talked
to it as to an old friend: "Well, old man,
| was lost, but you have set me right. Pve
been moose hunting, went more nearly
north than l thought, and since l made
up my mind to go home have been going
on a course at right angles to the one that
leads to my cabin.
Food you neither have nor desire, the
same with shelter; as for companionshp
you're all right in the summer or early
fail, when sitting on your shoulder the
speckled beauties repay the angler for
wetting silk in the clear depths into
which your gaze seems to be directed, but
now, when winters mantle covers you,
you are cold and unsociable enough to
please mute or a scolding wife. But,
old man, | must be going, twenty eight
long miles between you and my cabin.
Perhaps you are the last object bearing
any semblance to humanity which | may
see in this cold world. Goodbye, old
man, goodbye"
Homeward bound at last. Homeward
bound for certainty; could l reach it?
Time only could answer that question.
l tramped that night till the darkness
kept me from longer seeing the ''spots'
by which was guiding myself. Then,
hastily as possible, l made my bed, cut
the wood for my fire, and sat down to
rest. l was nearly exhausted by travel,
exposure and want of food; yet / could
not long remain quiet, for my garments,
wetted through by my exertions and the
falling snow that had melted upon me,
became quickly frozen on the side to the
wind, while the fire burned the other
Therefore | had to get up, walk around my
fire, sit down on the other, SO as to ex-
pose the nearly frozen side to the CRATE
full heat, then back again. Thus | passed
the night, falling asleep as sat. only to
be awakened by the intense heat on one
side and The intense cold on the other.
Never WAS the light OF day more gladly
welcomed by mortal than by me. AS
soon as l could see we'll enough to follow
my trail, l left my fire. No formality Of
breaking camp, no waiting for breakfast
to cook and be eaten. ate my breakfast
the morning before. | left my axe, for |
knew if that night found me at such
place that must camp in the woods, it
would be my last camping place, and my
chances were better for reaching shelter
without the weight constantly dragging
at my belt. Thoughts OF my belt caused
Inc to notice that it was getting very
loose, and as is the Indian method tight
ened it, which served me very poorly for a
meal.
Away through the forest | went, along
the spotted trail, till thinking of wit
ter camp some six miles above my cabin,
but not i'll the direct course toward it,
| left the trail and struck across ridge
intending to go down a valley to the
head of a long lake at whose foot this
camp was and still stands. | hoped to be
fortunate enough to find a party of
hunters or fishermen here, for this lake
affords very good fishing, and being
SO far in the woods is fished summer and
winter alike, without regard to the laws
of the state, for wardens seldom visit
these parts since the hunters find it for
their interests to shoot all dogs found
hunting deer. SO the game laws so far rs
enforced are enforced by the very ones
they were framed to control.
AS | was about to cross stream hat
flowed through this valley to the lake.
partridge flew up and lighted in a near by
hemlock. Hurrah! Here was a good