The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-20
Cbekko and UneIe Ben.
Copyright. 1899. The S. S. Mcclure Coz

Copyright, 1899, The S. S. Mcclure Co.
Truth is stranger than poetry. This
tale is true, and you shall read it just
as it came TO Hector McRae and me
Hector, who is the sole witness TO the
narrative, is well known pioneer
guide, interpreter, mining expert and
judge of judges. This strange story
came to US from the lips of one of the
survivors, between signs that, at times,
were almost sobs:
1t was in the summer Of 81 that a
quiet man came to Calgary, on the
Canadian Pacific, province of Alberta,
to open an assay office. 1t was a week
or two later that miner, ore-stained
and wind Drowned, pushed his way into
the local bank and asked for the man
ager. The paying teller indicated a
back room, and the man went in. The
manager turned slowly on hierevolving
chair. the stranger looked at him stead
lily for moment. shook his head slow
ly, sighed and turned away
No, he's not the man. he said, NOV
ing towards the dooOr.
What can 1 do for you?" asked the
manager.
20. nothin': I was lookin' for Mr..
Alacquagin."
That is my name"
'Yes-I know, but you amt the man
you amt Sandy Macquagin."
The disappointment and bereavement
of the stranger interested the manager,
and in a little while he had the sad
story The boar hermit, after years of
hill and bush life, seemed quite willing
TO talk. Finding himself face to face
with a white man, the past came back
again, even his boyhoods happy days
down in old Kentucky.
They had been pards, for years. Mac
quagin, who was younger, was known
as Sandy, and this grizzled trailman
as uncle Ben.
Indeed, that was the only name he
gave, or would give.
Yes. they had been pards. but, in an
evil hour, they strolled into Ell Paso,
the cards and woman went against
them, they qualreled. each reached for
his gun-and then they both changed
their minds.
That night they parted on the banks
of the Rio Grande, but with the promise
that, whichever happened to be first to
find pay dirt, should look the other up
and share the fortune with him. They
were to be partners still, but never
again to sleep under the same blanket.
Sandy remained in FL Paso, with the
senorita at his feet rolling and lighting
cigarettes for him. Uncle Ben wan
dered to the north and fell in with q
lived alone far from any man, red or
white.
In time Chekko and Uncle Ben be-
came fast friends. One night the Indian
had a dream. He dreamed that away
to the north ran a river whose shoal
waters rippled over pebbles of gold.
Going into the bush, he brought forth
a staff of witch hazel-a sort of divin-
ing roland off he started for British
Columbia, followed closely by Uncle
Ben.
After weeks and months of weary
marching, when in a deep canyon in
the heart of the Selkirks. Chekko
stopped suddenly and looked at the
walls on either side. The divining rod
QUivered and pointed into a side can
yon. They hal gone but little ways
up the narrow gulch when the rod was
wrenched from Chekko's grasp and fell
upon his foot. Hard by they saw a
running brook the black sands of which
were brilliant with pebbles of gold. In
proof of his story Uncle Ben brought
from his deep pockets any amount of
dust, nuggets and a small bar of pure
sold. They had been in the gorge for
more than two years Chekko, in adj