The Somerset reporter., 1900-08-30

ures than DeIell <f1eas III his tIaNcie
"both by land and on the mighty deep
we arrived in Sturtevant's camp, the
place of our destination. Ii Is situated
in the most romantic and picturesq ue
spot ever formed by natures hand
Great mountains hem IL 10 on every side,
covered with giant trees that grow Tar
toward heaven before they throw out
their wide spreading branches OF ever
green foliage. One tree Is so large II
takes five men to reach around 1t. Here
also is luxuriant growth OF smaller
trees; the MANI inita, hard and red as
mahogany, the graceful alder, the stately
spruce, the lofty pine, the spicy bay
and many others whose names l cannet
recall. The green leaves of the bay are
so filled with oil that they burn and
snap like shavings when placed on the
fire. There is perfect wilderness OF
ferns, of many varieties, growing every
where. around every rock, over every
fallen log, about every tent and hanging
caressingly with their fringed garments
over the sparkling brook that goes
laughing Oh its merry way through the
whole length Of the canyon.
We selected a charming spot under the
very shadow of Mt. Wilson, on the
borders of the little stream and had our
tents set up, for like the patriarchs OF
old we dwelt 10 tents, or slept In them
rather, for we lived out OF doors from
the time the sun first touched the tops OF
the tallest trees with his golden brushes
until the moon stately and serene rose
up over the lofty peaks and the stars
came out to look at as with their large
and solem eyes. Our kitchen was out OF
doors, our dining room In the middle OF
the kitchen.
The workmen built us large fire
place of rocks, at least six feet across.
and here In the early twilight we gather
ed around the ruddy blaze and saw the
golden stars, radiant and respondent,
celestial flowers OF heaven, apparently
blossoming among the branches OF the
trees. The air was so clear, so pure and
we were 80 much nearer heaven than
ever before, these wonderfully large and
luminous stars seemed very near to our
mortal eyes.
There were no dews In this favored
spot. We left our wearing apparel out
night after night and 1t was perfectly
dry In the morning and there was no
moisture on the leaves. Throughout
the day great butterflies, as large as the
palm of my hand, gorgeous with the
most brilliant dyes, fitted gaYly about
from tree to tree. The squirrels were 80
tame they came nearly to the doors OF
our tents, scampering back and fourth
among the leaves and bushes and some
times scolding US soundly in the las-
guage of the woods.
The lizards also were neighborly,
odious Of form and swift OF foot, dart
ing every where and although perfectly
harmless IL Is not conducive to feeling
of comfort to see one of these ugly
brown creatures, eight inches long,
frisking up the walls of your tent when
you are trying to take little rest. But
il one goes into the home of the wild
creatures he must expect the wild
creatures company.
There were many tents perched like
birds nests every where along the can
trees, high up on the steep hillsides,
along the banks OF the little stream and
In many a romantic and shaded glen.
The people In camp for the most part.
were a merry lot of young people who
had gone there to spend their summer
vacation. The public dining room ac-
commodated all who did not wish to
board themselves. It was built Of hewn
logs, was large, commodfous and unique
In Its rustic beauty. The sitting room
was also of logs with great open fire
place and games and magazines were
lying about on the tables and shelves !;
here at evening time the gay lads and
lasses gathered and made the walls ring
with their jests and laughter and song.
The proprietors Of the camp are ladies
and gentlemen, who extend every court
esy to their guests and supply every want
so far as In their power.
Here for nearly three weeks we lived
the life Of the Arcadians, and enhaled
the health giving air of the mountains,
going back to the primitive condition
of our fore-mOthers In our methods OF
housekeeping and growing stronger and
browner with each day out Of doors.
Upon the night of July 2lst the wind
rose and swept through the tops Of the
great evergreens with moanful and
ominous sound like the sorrowful surge
Of the sea before a storm. could not
sleep and vague forebodings filled my
soul and a nameless fear. Sunday the
wind still blew, high in the branches of
the tallest trees, although 1t sounded
like music to others to me 1t seemed like
a dirge. AS | lay in my tent In the
afternoon c. came to me with face
that was white to her very lips and said
In Mortified whisper, "there Is fire in
the forest" For a moment was over
come with fear for the danger OF the
situation appalled, me. l went out to an
elevation and looked abroad. To the
east and south rose great volumes OF
white and dun colored smoke often
licked through by tongues Of fame and
tue wind was bearing 1t right Oh toward
US. 1t did not look very far away.
Miss S. the daughter of one Of the pro-
prietors, started for Sierra Madre to
inform her father and met the fire like q
raging serpent running over the trail
so was obliged to return. Then we
knew our principal way of escape was
cut off.
| returned to our frightened little
party and while we sat about our tent,
filled with distracting anxiety and alarm,
we heard great crashing up the Mt.
Wilson trail Just behind us and sud
denly the boughs parted and with wild
"halloo!" a man, hopping his red pers-
piring face, cried with loud voice "do
you want to stay here and be burned up
alive? The fire will be on you In less
than two hours!" and more to the same
effect, then like an insane man he turned
and fled. The effect of his appearance
and portentous words was perfectly
terrifying. We were shut in on all
sides by heavily wooded mountains aid
felt as though we were in death trap
with no way Of escape. The only trail