Evening journal., 1899-06-07
K eesuW Cave
BY Manley II. Pike

" lively one, and sometimes be
came really tiresome. Asit came rather
late in the season, there was generally
so much snow that yon could neither
tkate nor coast. and although indoor
amusements are all very well, no
healthy boy wants TO spend his holi-
days in the house. after having been
shut up within the four walls of a
school-room for eight or ten weeks.
So, at this time, we were always at our
wits end for amusement, and willing
TO do almost anything that promised
sport, especially in the open air.
Jack Adams, Frank Fisher and
found ourselves in this state Of mind
one morning when we met at Franks
to see what we could do for amuse-
ment during the day.
We three went together" as boys
say, aud people used TO wonder at IL,
because we were of such different char
acters. Jack was bold. daring sort OF
fellow, first getting into scrupes
through having almost too much cour-
age and enterprise, but invariably get
ting out again by means of the same
qualities; while Frank was exceeding
~ cool and thoughtful. fond of study
for his age, and much m9re mature
than we other two. For myself, there
was nothing whatever remarkable
about me, but / was more like Jack
than Frank.
Nevertheless, we were great friends
In spite of our unlikeness-perhaps OF
account of it-and never had seriout
quarrels. The only disputes that arost
among us were caused by Franks pro
volang habit of showing the weak fea
lures of the impossible schemes con
stantly proposed by Jack or myself. tS
which we Naturally objected but az
we "supped sorrow" when we had oui
own way, and met with success by fol-
lowing his advice, we usually ended u
adopting his plans, which always turaet
out 10 be the best
Sometimes. however, we carried our
point against all he could say; and 50
it was on the morning / speak Of.
Boys. I tell you what let's do
burst forth Jack in his headlong fash,
ion. Lets climb Crow Hill. and spena
the day In Keesaw Cave"
Grow Hill would be called a small
mountain anywhere but in Baalbec
which the inhabitants of neighborino
towns laughed at as the place "wher,
folks never made any butter becaus,
there wasn't level ground enough Il
set the pans for cream"
While this statement may possible
be slightly exaggerated, still II Is I
fact that about tlse only difference IL
| Daalbec land Is between high hills and
low ones.
Halfway up the hill was KeesRv
Cave, favorite resort for summer PIC
mic parties, but not exactly pleasan
| place in northern winter, with at leas
three feet of SNOW on the ground.
Jacks proposal suited me well. ant
even Frank did not make nearly b
many objections as he might, althoag
Ne assured US that we should certainl
some to grief in some way before "
returned, and were likely to have NOR
trouble than we expected, both goin,
up and coming down.
The fact that the thermometer wa
IN the vicinity OF zero did not ente
Into our calculations in the least ]
o New Highlander is prevented frou
making winter excursions by the cold
he will rarely make anyist all.
SO, an hour later, protected by thic
oSercoats and fur caps, we started out
dragging behind us a sled loaded wit
provisions, cooking utensils, blanket
and other supplies. Besides this. eacl
of US had a light Ratchet. aud Fran
carried his gun, for, as an enthusiastic
naturalist, he never missed chance o
securing specimens.
Following the highway a mile or tw,
we turned off into u woodroad. whic
took us to the base Of the hill. Her
our difficulties began.
There was narrow, winding pat
leading up the steep ascent. but n
signs of it could now be seen, sine
the whole slope was n smooth surfac
of snow, broken ut frequent interval
b by great granite lodges, intermingle
with closely-growing trees and bushei
oAAAlAAb vi edl0 4 itIh- max
the only way"
We saw that as plainly as he di,
, and without any delay began the climl
Z which was not an easy one by an
5 means. The lower part of the sno'
e was packed perfectly solid by the win,
3 but upon this the las storm had d
posted another layer. still loose an
e SOFT, TO be toilsomely waded through.
can testify that climbing that hi
was no joke. Every few feet we woul
4, come to a line Of bare, perpendicult
rock, up which one of us would scran
2 bic, afterward pulling the sled aft'
n him. with the assistance of the othei
pushing from below.
The rocks being high and the 81,
heavy, our task was tremendously han
so hard that we were obliged TO S
: down upon the top of every ledge I
= get breath enough 10 attack the ne;
one.
= II we had been doing this as wor
= we should have thought ourselves Il
most abused boys in the world; IL
4 even as play it wasn't what one won