The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-11-02
BELIZE, A WASHOE CANARY.
The subternanean Siren of Steamboat Springs.
BY JOHN HAROLD HAMLIN
By JOHN HAROLD HAML1N.

truly remarkable style, and that b
labors had been unusually steady al
entirely creditable, it was deemed a
visabie TO grant him holiday fheT
fore Bellies driver, Tim Murdoch. IL
him out of the great Sutro Tunnel an
where he cast off the halter and turne
accompanied him to bleak hIii-lo
Belize adrift.
Belize DLinked his brown eyes. TIL
bright. hot sunlight dazzled his vision
airy organs Four years under gronn
Is conducive to blindness, and Belzi
had pulled ore cars in the drifts of the
deep Comstock mines, and trotted to
and fro through the Sutro Tunnel fully
that length of time. So Belize blinkeC
his eyes and gazed about him in a
dumfounded manner. He didn't know
whether to be pleased with his unusual
freedom or pained at the IDEA Oh eX
listing in such a brilliant atmosphere.
Perhaps Belize remained on that par
ticular knon lNo hours, pa. tJs
longer. 1t is certain, however, that as
soon as the sun dropped behind the
crest of bald old Mt. Davidson, the
mule seemed relieved; he grew quite
sportive by the time nights sable pail
fell upon the dreary landscape. Thus
did the overworked mules vacation
begin; the days slipped by, and ere
long the sbony, long cared, solemn
looking Beelzebub became a familiar
object as he roamed about the Vir-
ginia hills.
Strange things will happen, and it
became apparent that this visible
ribbed donkey was thriving on his sage
brush diet His master noted the fact,
and decided to terminate Bellies fur
Tough. Mules were none too plentiful
just th0n: work was pressing, and,
take 1t all around, Belize could i'll be
spared. especially since he no longer
cut the same figure as did the rack of
bones that emerged from Sutro Tun-
mel four weeks previous So Tim MUIR
dock was detailed to roundup the re-
1uyenated Beelzebub. His accustomed
naunts were searched, no brown mule |
with the peculiar markings of Belize |
could be discovered. Inquiries were |
made, but no one remembered seeing |
him within the last week. Finally the |
stage driver informed Tim that he
seen a mule ambling down Geiger
Grade, pretty close to Steamboat
Springs, day before yesterday" This
seemed a self-evident clew, and Tim
got an extra day off. mounted a spare
mule, and struck out in pursuit of the
wandering Belize
steamboat is noted for its hot
springs. geysers and the altogether ex-
traordinary formations in and about
that locality. These springs are a
fevorite resort for natural scientists.
and offer a splendid field to the re-
searches of biologists.
There happened to be particularly
jealous professor sojourning at Steam
boat about the same time Belize was
rustling for new growth of bone and
muscle. Two prospectors, firmly be-
ieWng they had struck bonanza"
were extending an old tunnel In a hill
'lde, about half a mile from the main
Iprings and geysers of Steamboat.
Quite friendship sprung up between
ne young professor and these two
miners The three made frequent ex-
'editions, bent on investigating the :
wonders OF hot springs, surmising :
auses and effects of internal heat and
ne prospectors listened In utter fasci- d
alton to the theories propounded by G
rofessor Mellins.
one suitry night heavy earthquake =
hook up goodly portion of western .
eVada and California. 1t played odd ?,
lcks In and about Steamboat -
brings. The main geyser went dry. &c
hen Professor Mellins discovered ~
us Iact, his rapture knew no bounds a.
recorded voluminous notes on the ~
ltural phenomenon, and began the 10
eparation of exhaustive lectures for WI
lure classes to digest While busily sp
gagged In jotting down notes. and ~
zing into the cavernous dry vent of
e erstwhile geyser. the two prospec- pr
rs move In sight. They were breath lin
s' tired, yet gasped out a voluble En-
excited description of an unprece- an
nted freak of nature that had taken tee
zee on the site of their tunnel. So oh
'oherent was the account given nv up'
TWO men that it was with difficultv 4
y were understood; but Professor ant
INNS comprehended at once that obs
nething stranger still than the mere Eal
of the spring had toll hea
ed In the wake of the trembler wei
by tne trumpeting elements. bows 9th
is great" Professor Mellins forci- DIM
expressed himself by using his thel
orite term. as he beheld a long ir- cree
liar assure beginning a few wards 1t
the mouth of the tunnel and run that
directly into it, extending az far who
ne eye could penetrate the gloom. the
ing jets or steam arose in thin sign
as, converting the prospectors' tun- Tim
INTO veritable steam retort. "As- oppe
Oily the subterranean force that new
tea the water in the main spring trail
round new outlet here" said Pro- the
Or Mellins. ap
'u', professor, that amt the phe- III
what amazes us. Just you listen you
- iniernai racket. neve
-, as 'he miner spoke decided now
oiing resounded within the tunneI. "F
ateo on the ears and appeared To quak
late from the very bowels of tho IS,
. no 'nree men were silent; the nanzi
Nious Workings OF natures un- FURY
ana powerful forces acna,,ea wv
o'ier CLOUD OF steam spurted specb
another grinding roar; ii rever- "Se
.eu IN jerky. hollow manner some
dwindled away to an almost me, "B'
Mse Inc miners bronzed wild J
WI aeu snaoe paier. yez,
~ t,,' 70 WONDERFUL, wonderful! Ant
. Endiin were only here, Trum- cence
elements! have it I'll teIe- Tir
ae can not AFFORD to miss front
,n,oa 80! =, penolding this odd and &
- -, puisVe Professor Mel The n