Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1904-06-04


sky and the crests of suowclad ridges |
and mountains. This habit Of voicing
thought develops in those who spend
ong periods in solitude, and James
3lake-once a farmer boy in Hing
ham, and now a California gold miner
and prospector-was no exception to
the rule.
Lets get breakfast, Dog" he said
rs he entered the cabin. ''I>told you
it was going to snow"
Blake's cabin stood well back from
the edge of a cliff 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 miscellaneous assortment
of lumber and firewood. A small but
strongly constructed ell was used as
storeroom. launches of venison,
the carcass of brown bear, and long
strings of mountain trout were here
securely guarded against the depre-
dations of wandering animals. Bags
of flour 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 con-
flagration or serious illness could
disturb his labors 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
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 to localities where foot or
two of snow in forty-eight hours is
called blizzard" and esteemed a
meteorological event, have no con-
ception of a snow 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-a swirl
ing, writhing, choking maelstrom OF
flakes, borne on the wings Of freez-
ing gale.
1t was such 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 in
the mouth of the shaft and shook the
snow from his blouse.
Blake lit a lantern and wormed his
way into the dismal hole. A few min
utes later he was hard at work, paus
ing now and then to examine the roci
with eager eyes. He had been toilinG
for three hours or more when the
dogs smiling attracted his notice. A!
he turned, the animal raised his head
barked sharply, and growled in
peculiar manner.
whats the matter, Dog?" sait
Blake, patting his friend. What ;
cursed shame the creature can't talk
What's up, old boy? Seen bear
Don't bother with him-let him alone
Go away, Dog, I'm busy" and Blak
returned to his task.
| Leaning DdCh d5dluSI inc wall "
the tunnel with his paws hanging
in q most doleful fashion, the do
sounded long-drawn wall, so pitifu
in its intensity that Blake droppe
his pick and gazed at the animal Il
amazement mixed with terror. Tn
animal sprang forward and fastene
his teeth in the leg of Blake's trous
ers, pulling gently but firmly, grow
, ing and whining.
This is a new freak" muttere
Blake, grabbing the lantern. Some
I thing has happened. Perhaps tn
, hut's afire."
He moved quickly towards tn
! mouth of the tunnel. The dog gave
joyful bark, and led the way Blak
reached the open air, and floundere
through the drifts until the cabi
was visible through the binding snow
: The dog went past it, and howle
. dismally when his master paused
= Rushing into the hut, Blake secure
= a long rope, one end of which he tie
to the leg of bench near the doc
Paying out the coil he dashed sturdil
4 forward.
(To be continued.)