The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-11-22
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idtN. uuSH were tue years OF uTOUHuI
in California. 1897 ANA 1898; ana when
the low lands along the coast went
dry. il was drought indeed in the
Tehachapi Mountains, FOR they faced
the Mohave desert.
On this day in June a great mirage OF
heat overspread tue shimmering sands,
IN the semblance OF a vast lake dotted
with islands ana trees; but the heated
dryness Of the bed OF the Tehachapi
River dispelled all Illusions as to the
lake below.
II was not the first time that Ezra
Shaw had camped by the river. For
five years he had stopped at the same
place on his way to his prospects on
the desert and more than once he had
seen that dry river-bed bank high with
muddy water. But to Philip West
hrool. young mining expert from the
East. 1t seemed very unreasonable
prccaution to cross The riyer-bed and
camp upon the hot mesa when there
was such fine cottonwood tree down
in the bottom.
How long since there's been a food
in this streamt' he demanded, when
Ezra drove past the cottonwood on his
way TO a scrubby juniper on the oppO-
site bank.
Lets see.' said Shaw. 1T was two
years ago last saturday"
"Weli, if that's the case, let's camp
Gown under that cottonwood I'll risl,
cloudburst 10 escape a sunstroke any
day"
1t was frishtfully lot on the open
mesa, but cool breeze drew mp the
canon and famed the cottonwood
leaves into soothing rustic. Far up
above the mountain heights puffy thun-
dercaps loomed against the sky, radiat.
ing a sultry, oppressive heat.
Ezra Shaw looked thcm over critical.
ly before he made reply.
"As l was saying" he continued
"it was two years ago Saturday. aut
the weather was hot and muggy, jus
like this. You see that mark on thu
cottonwood tree down there, about sil
feet above the ground? That's wher,
the water came Came quick, too. Dc
you want to chance it:'
Il certainly do replied Westbrook
Those clouds have hung round M
there for a week. ana not a drop OF
rain have they given up, with all theh
wind ind thunder"
So down in the bouldar-strewn river
bed they camped, and the prospectoi
soon had a meal cooked ana spread II
the shade Of the cottonwood West
brook was going out to inspect one Of
his mines In the interests of an East
ern mining company, and Shaw knew
the desirabllity OF humOrlng him, eyel
at q slight personal risk.
But for twenty years he had lived OF
the changing desert, and he knew 1T
extremes too well. So while he cooked
and fed the horses. he cast an occas
ional glance mp the canon. The sug
gestion Of the act irritated young West
brook, who took g for silent rebuke.
whats the matter With your h
demanded Are you afraid a cloud
burst VIII jump round the point NJ
there and drown you where yo
standf"
An indulgent smile wrinkled the heal
blackened face OF the old prospector.
Two years ago last Saturday l sa,
something Ike that happen he SAID
"A teamster was camped here at th
time. That's one Of his wagon wheel
down there by the lone cottonwood 0
the kuolL He didn't get drowned. by
be was sure surprised And now,
you have no objections. 1 reckon l.
hook up aud pull ont Of here. 1t look
Kind Of black away mp there on tn
peaks"
We'll, Ia Ike 20 rest q little In th
shade before we go on. but Of cours
II yOn insist
'No insist about 10! None at all, 20
just lie right down and rest, and L
harness up ana drive out Of this rive
bottom. II hasn't rained in a Ion
time, but II that water up there hal
pens 10 come this way, 1t will come O
The jump. It's Zen miles up to whel
you see that black cloud, but It's a
down hill"
Without seeming TO hurry, Sha'
packed the dishes in the wagon an
set about harnessing his horses.
LET IL ne idu BtFN tiDnH he won
have worked iikc lightning. A gre,
hush lay over the deep canon. and II
ind blew ia little gusts toward Il
Owering thundercaps which touch,
he mountain peaks with a base of inl
id frightful backness.
From that black base rain was IA
ing somewhere. And whichever can
appened to receive that torrent at
Lead was sure TO be swept like a gre
sluiceway On those peaks the ra
Hid not fall in mere drops-it fell
heets.
In the canon OF the Tehachol
SCARED and secured by the torrents
the past tense silence settled. Ev
10 Philip Westbrook. dozing lazlly
the shade, the stiffness seemed o
inous.
he raised his head and idly watch
the old prospector as he climbed IN
the wagon.
"Golng to leays ne:" he asked.
,le scornfulIy
THAT'S right" replied shaw. "a
IL you'll take fools advice you'll {
out OF thisswash qulckF'
He turned his head up the canon a
listened moment Then he kick
b on the brake. yelled to his horses, a
started for the bank on the run.
"Pile In behindr' he called back