The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1904-06-30

sky ana the crests OF snowolad ridges
and mountains. This haiti OF y%oiolns
thought develops in those who spend
long periods In solitude, and James
hlake-onco a farmer boy In Hing
ham. and now a California gold miner
and prospector-was no exception e..
the rule.
Lets get breakfast. Dog" he said
as he entered the cabin. = told Iou
Il was going 20 snow"
Blake's cabin stood we'll back from
the edge OF a clin half way up the
slope OF a valley in the Sierra Ne
vadas Of Central California.
Scattered along the walls were min.
ing tools. powder kegs. guns, fishing
rods. and a miscellaneous assortment
OF lumber and frewood. A small but
strongly constructed ell was used as
a storeroom. launches OF venison
the carcass OF a brown bear, and long
strings OF mountain trout were here
securely guarded against the depre.
dations OF wandering animals. Bags
of -four and oatmeal, some potatoes,
sides Of bacon. and the remnants OF a
ham completed the more substantial
portion OF Blake's larder. He often
surveyed his snug storeroOm with
much satisfaction. Nothing but q con.
~fiagration OF a serious Illness could
disturb his lebors during the long
winter season.
Breakfast ended, James Blake lit
his pipe and started for the mouth Of
the tunnel. Though less than an hour
lad passed since he entered the cabin
the snow already had drifted across
the path and blocked the door. Those
whose knowledge Of snowstorms is
confined to localities where n foot OF
two of snow in ~forty-eisht hours Is
called a blizzard" and esteemed q
meteorological event, have no con.
ception Of a nov storm In the ST.
erras. Near the timber line in the
Sierra Nevadas there has been re
corded a fall Of fourteen feet of
snow In as many consecutive hours
an inch every five minutes swirl
ing. writhing. choking maelstrom Of
flakes. borne on the wings OF a freez,
ing gale.
1t was such a storm that Blake
faced when he opened the cabin door
and plunged through the drifts into
the tunnel.
This Is an old snifter. isn't it,
Dog?" he exclaimed as he stood Ia
the mouth OF the shaft and shook the
snow from his blouse.
Blake lii a lantern and wormed his
way into the dismal hole. A few min
IL later he was hard at work. paus-
ing now and then to examine the rock
with eager eyes. He had been toillne
for three hours or more when the
dogs smiling attracted his notice. As
he turned. the animal raised his head.
banked sharply. and growled in q
peculiar ann
What's the matter. Dog?" said
Blake. patting his friend. What 8
cursed shame the creature can't talk
What's up. old boy? Seen a bear
Don't bother With him-let him alone
Go away. Dog, I'm busy" and Blak,
returned 70 his task.
Leaning oACA against the wall 81
the tunnel, with his paws hanglng
IN a most doleful fashion, the dos
sounded a long-drawn vail. 30 pitifu
In its intensity that Blake droppet
his pick and gazed AT the animal ia
Amusement mixed with terror. The
animal sprang forward and fastened
his teeth in the leg OF Blake's tfous
ers. pulling gently but firmly. growl
ing and whining.
This Is a new freak" mutterst
Blake. grabbing the lantern. Some
thing has happened. Perhaps th,
hut's ahre."
He moved quickly towards n,
mouth Of the tunnel The dog gave 1
joyful bark. and led the way. Biak,
reached the open air, and hounderet
through the drifts until the cabir
was visible through the binding snow
The dog went past Il. and howie,
dismRlly when his master paused
Rushing into the hut. Blake secure,
a long rope. n end Of which he tie,
20 the leg OF a bench near the door
Paying out the coil be dashed sturdill
forward.
1T. - n.waEur.aE