The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-11-11

sky and the crests Of snowclad ridges
and mountains This habit Of yoicing
thought develops in those who speed
long periods Ia solitude. and james
Blake-once a farmer boy in Hing.
ham, and now California gold mineT
and prospector-was no exception to
the rule
Let's get breakfast. Dog, he said
as he entered the cabin. 4 told you
it was going to snow"
n Blakes cabin. stood well back from
the edge of d ciiH half way np the
slope Of a valley in the Sierra Ne
vsdas Of Central California.
Scattered along the walls were min
ing tools, powder kegs, guns. fishing
rods. and a miscellaneous assortment
Of lumber and fregood. A small but
strongly constructed ell was used as
a storeroom. launches Of yenison,
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
ham completed the more substantial
portion of Blake's larder. He often
surveyed his snug storeroom with
much satisfaction. Nothing, but a con
fagFation or serious, illness could
disturb his Iabors during the long
winter season. ND tHi iH |nf 81
breakfast ended, James Blake lit
his pipe and started for the mouth of
the tunnel. Though less than anIhour
had 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 10 localities where q foot or
two Of snow in forty-eight hours is
called a blizzard" and esteemed a
meteorological event. have no con
ception of a snow storm in the 81
erras. Near the timber line in the
Sierra Neyadas there has been re-
corded fall OF fourteen feet Of |
snow in as many consecutive hours-7
an, inch every five minutes--a swirl
ing writhing, choking maelstrom of |
fakes, borne on the wings OF a freez-
ing eale-1 an Nun e9le9b f ash
It was such storm that Blake |
faced when he opened the cabin door
and plunged through the drifts into
the tunnel a1l n i9ai 934nl stfI
This Is an old snifter. isn't it,
Dog?" he exclaimed as he stood in
the mouth Of the shaft and shook the
snow fromlhis blouse. 'Gup9 iDr saol
Blake lii a lantern and yormed his
way into the dismal hole A few min
utes later he was hard at work, paus-
ing now and then TO examine the rock
with eager eyes. i He had been toiling
for three hours or more when the
dogs smiling attracted his notice. AS
he turned, the animal raised 'his head,
barked sharply, and growled in a
peculiar manner
What's the matter, Dog?'' said
Blake patting his friend. @What a
cursed shame the creature can't talk!
What's up. old boy? Seen a bear.
Don't bother with him-iet him alone.
10 away, Dog, I'm busy and Blake
to his task.a~{ sa4 ia
Leaning back against the wall OF
he tunnel, with his paws hanging
n q most doIeful fashion, the dog
sounded a long-drawn wall, so pitifuI
n its intensity that Blake dropped
lis pick and gazed at the animal in
mixed with terror. The
lnimal sprang forward and fastened
lis teeth in the leg of Blake's trous-
rs, pulling gently but firmly, growl-
ng and whining {qA 5mH918 sat
This is a new freak" muttered
blake, grabbing the lantern. Some
hing has happened. Perhaps the
iut's afire." afu u14
He moved quickly towards the
mouth of the tunnel The dog gave a
oyful bark, and led the way. Blake b
cached the open air, and houndered ,
through the drifts until the cabin !
vas visible through the binding snow.
he dog went past II. and howled
Iismally when his master paused.
flushing into the hut, Blake secured ,
long rope, one end of which he tied .
o the leg Of bench near the door. !
laying out the coil he dashed sturdily /,
Drward =" ! !
iia (To be eontinued.) at