Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-06-27

towering pines UP a very steep slope,
then it winds along canon for mile
ascends another pitch, and finally ira
verses broad, wooden plateau, COM
paratively level, at the extreme end of
which, on slight rise, is the logging
camp.
French Joe always rode in the wake
of the train on mouse-colored donkey.
The narrowness of the trail prevented
him from passing the burdened animals.
so he had to content himself with Shout
ing vociferously at the mules, as they
slowly moved over their daily route. In
spite of all his precautions, one beast
calmly laid down at the steepest part of
the first pitch. Joe was compelled to
remove the pig-freight and clumsy pack
saddle before the erring mule could re-
gain an upright position. In the first
place, the train had started late; this de-
lay and the uncommon deliberateness of
the whole string of mules consumed a
great deal more time. Joe's stock of pa
thence began to ebb. His ready tongue
poured forth surprising mixture of
French and English intersections as the
twilight threw gloomy shadows through
out the silent forest. When the lead
mule topped the final declivity and pass
ed beneath the great pines which stud
ded the plateau it was quite dark. Now
Joe thought it ample time to use other
means than his voice to urge the slothful
donkeys onward so he alighted from his
riding animal, gathered a pocketful OF
rocks, and mounted again. He had prac-
ticed this method before, and knew that
a singing blow from stone had its
effect.
The very first stone he threw crashed
through the-slats of one of the pig boxes
and its effect was indeed telling. All
the way TIP the consignment of swine had
emitted scarcely grunt, and such
piercing squeal, coming so suddenly
from the stricken pig, electrified the
staid donkey upon whose back he was
strapped. AS Joe had prophesied re
mule will not pleased be if re pig squeal
in re ears"
The mule snorted hoarsely he jump
ed forward against the one in front OF
him. The pig squealed again. A ter
rife, maddened squeal that did not die
away, but grew more ear-sphttlng than
at first. Every mule in that heretofore
snail-hke train pricked up its long ears.
Those self-same ears must have gather
ed in great volume of that horrid din
for the lead donkey struck out on a
numbering trot, closely followed by the
other thoroughly alarmed beasts.
Towering pines closely bordered the
trail; pack saddle came in contact with
big tree-trunk, another shrill scream
joined in with the first. The jolting
swaying boxes, with their lusty-lunged
inmates, fairly shrieked; and the faster
the mules ambled the more deafening
waxed the uproar How those sounds
reverberated through the dim old
woods What unearthly cries dispelled
their wonted quietude!
Supper was in progress in the long,
low boarding house at the logging camp.
Two rows of tired, hungry men were
busily making wonderful inroads upon
China Toms well-cooked viands. Tai
low candles shed a dim light upon the
table, and frightened up the ruddy faces
of the Grew
Nov, Mike, you know there's no such
thing as fairies or banshees. So what
do you spin yarn like that for?'
"Oi sweer me grandfather hearn wan,
an didn't he tell me the truth, now,
whin he says he did ?"
An animated conversation ensued; the
men dearly loved to hear mike rant
about his queer superstitions, and argued
with him simply for that reason. In the
heat of the discussion China Tom ap-
peared at the door which opened into the
kitchen. He carried dish of smoking
suet-pudding in either hand. The Mon
golian seemed uneasy; he hesltated and
looked back over his shoulder. Some OF
the men noticed that his whole form
shook violently Before they had time
to say a word the Chlnaman let both
dishes fall with crash his almond eyes
glittered wildly, and he made frantic
dash for the door. His queue sailed
out behind him in straight line, and as
he disappeared the men heard a gasp1ng
Him debbil, sure! He catchee me!
whats up with the heathen?' said
some one.
Through the chinks of the logs came
a strange sound Every man heard it.
A chorus of discordant screams broke
sharply on their ears It grew louder,
louder. A frightful calamity seemed i'm
pending. The main volume split up; a
piercing shrek, apparently borne on
wings. circled about the cabin. Another
uncanny cry rent the air from the dlrec-
ton of the stables. The woods were full
OF screening, screaming noises.
"Catamounts yelled a burly logger.
"Saye me soul It's the banshee