The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1905-04-28

sky and the crests " snowclad ridges
aud mountains This habit OF yoicing
Thought develop. In those who spend
long periods u solitude and James
1iaEc.ouca farmer boy iu Hing.
Naw. auT now California gold miner
and nrosu.c.ur.w uu exception TO
tha rule.
.I,rs got breakfast Dog be said
us Doc entered the cabin u told you
% was roins t1 SNOW
u'alaa cabin TODD well back from
the yIgr ,I t.'n hali way up the
slope of valley 100 the Sierra Ne
yadas ul Central california
Scattered along the walls were min.
ing tools. powder kegs. guns. fishing
rods and miscellaneous assortment
of lumber and 0gawood 4 small but
STRONGLY constructed ell was used az
atur.rHum Launches OF vcnlson,
The carcass ,t O brown bear and long
sir.urt OF mountain trout were here
securely guarded against the depre.
dations OF wandering animals Bags
OF -four and uatwcal some potatoes,
sides of bacon. and the remnants Of a
ham CON plctod the more substantial
portion OF Blakc's larder lie often
surveyed his snug storeroom with
much satisfaction Nothing but a con.
1agration or q serious Illness could
disturb hls lnbors during the long
winter season.
Breakfast ended, James Blake liz
| his pipe and started Tor 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 10 localities where n foot or
| two Of snow la forty.eight hours Is
called a blizzard and esteemed a
meteorological event. have no con.
coptiou of a snow storm In the ST.
crrls. Near the timber line In the
/ Sierra Ncvadas there has been re.
corded fall Of fourteen feet OF
snow In as many consecutive hours
an inch every i've minutos-a swirl
ing. writhing. choking maolstrom OF
flakes borne on the wings OF freez'
ing gale.
It 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 snlftcr. isn't Il.
| Dog?' he exclaimed as he stood In
the mouth Of the shaft aud shook the
snow from his blouse
Blake no a lantern and wormed his
way into the dismal hole. a few min.
utos later no was hard ut work. paus.
ing now and then TO examine the reck
with eager eyes lie had boon tolllng
for three hours or more when the
dogs SMILING attracted his notice. As
he turned, the animal raised his head
backed sharply and growled In q
peculiar manner.
whats the matter. Dog7" said
Blake. pattlng his friend. what a
cursed shame the creature can't talk,
What's up. old boy? Seen n bear
Don't bother with him-let him alone
Go away. Dog, I'm busy" and Blak,
returned 10 his task.
Leaning back against tho wall OF
the tunnel with his paws hanging
In a most dolcful fashion. the dog
sounded a longdrawn wall, 80 pltiful
In its Intensity that Blake dropped
his pick ana gazed at the animal In
amazcmont mixed with terror. The
animal sprang forward and fastened
his teeth In the leg OF Blake's trous
crs pulling gently but firmly. growl
ing and whining,
This Is new freak" muttorod
Blake. grabbing the lantern. Some
thing has happened. Perhaps the
hut's afro."
He moved quickly towards the
mouth OF the tunnel. The dog gave a
joyful bark, and led the way. Blake
reached the open air and nounderod
through the drifts until the cabin
was visible through the binding snow
The dog went past II. and howled
dismally when his master paused
Rushing into the hut, Blake secured
long rope, one end Of which he tied
10 the leg Of bench near the door
Paying out the coil he dashed sturdlly
forward.
ITO be cOntlnued)