The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1902-12-19

the last natural meadow, and were at
the edge of the great barren waste
that extended to the rocky gorges sur
rounding Stems mountain, they came
upon the big traps. Here they found
evidences Of big game also.
While passing along deep gorge
the trapper's eyes frightened and he
exclaimed: Grizzly, sure as you
live!" He then pointed to where he
had left huge trap and then to the
trail left behind where the bear had
dragged 1t, and the heavy weight at
tached to 1t. up the gorge The trap
per Immediately looked to his rife
and followed the trail eagerly. It
brought back the old times-the occu-
patton which he had followed so long
alone and the exciting events in a
trapper's life.
BE on the lookout" cautioned the
trapper to his companion, "he may
show fight when we come upon him.
and 1t will not do to get too close to
him"
On they followed the trail losing It
occasionally among the rocks but as
soon as soil and sage brush were
found they found the evidences again
They had entered a sub-canyon and
were passing through point ut
which a late spring seep from the
mountain side had moistened the
ground and produced a high growth
Of sage brush along the banks of the
channel Of the gulch and the trapper
again preserved unusual precaution
As they we're elbowing their way
through the tall sage brush that over
Tapped the channel, the trapper carry
ing his rife ready for action, there
was swish, an unearthly cry, and
a mountain lion sprang up in the
sage brush to the left and tried 20
leap upon the two men. But Ham
mersley fired instantly and the
charge entered the animals heart.
They approached the dead animal
cautiously and found why 1t had
reared up so straight in the air and
had been unable to leap. One of
Hammersley's great traps had cut its
saw-teeth deep into the animals left
hind leg and held 1t fast.
The animal had been caught sew
eral days previously, and had dragged
the trap to this point where 1t be-
came entangled and could get no
farther. They lost no time here, how.
ever. This was a big haul, but the
trapper was more desirous Of over
taking the grizzly.
But they were not kept long In sus-
pense. They came to a narrow point
in the canyon where the big animal
had attempted to force the heavy
weight that was attached to the trap
between two huge boulders and had
pulled upon 1t so strongly that It
had become fastened and the animal
could go no farther. With surly
growl he warned them Of their danger
before they even saw him. AS he
tore against the chain attached to
the trap for his freedom, however,
they saw the side of his huge body
beyond the boulder
Hammersley watched the great an
imal for a few moments and then ap-
preaching the boulders cautiously, he
placed his rife on the boulder and
fired a ball into the animals brain,
killing him instantly.
Grizzlys, even in those days. were
rare catches and the trapper informed
Byrd that he was now satisfied with
the trip and they proceed to skin The
animal and prepare for the return.
1t was necessary. to spend the night
here, which they did, but before
II was late they had the skin
Of the mountain lion also beside
the grizzly's, and early the following
morning started home, gathering up
the hides Of marten, wildcat and
coyotes as they proceeded; and II
is needless to say that when they ar
rived home they were loaded down,
in fact, the horse which had been left
hobbled on the way was pressed into
service and was also loaded with all
that could be conveniently packed up
on him.
Bertha was greatly surprised and
interested In the skins OF the great
wild animals, but she had news for
them that she deemed of more i'm
portance to their future and the pro-
jects they had in view.
While they were absent some one
had entered the font apartments Of
the place and had spent the night.
Woman's curiosity led Bertha to
break the admonition given her by
the trapper. She had done so with.
out exposing herself or the secret
chamber howevpr and this u,ifioafa 4
her crime. But the discovery that
she made, she thought might be of
Importance to her friends.
Upon looking through an aperture
into thu front room she had Reeu n