Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1906-04-21

my madness. went back to the lower
end, to where the boat was tied. had
used it several times going down as far
as the eddy. Desperate for something
to do, united it and stepping in drifted
down out of the golden park and be-
tween the mighty walls of rock. The
last thing saw as | looked back into
the sun kissed valley was Lewis grave
upon the little knoll, with the larch
boughs swaying gracefully above it.
81 picked up the paddle and worked
with feverish energy that soon
brought me out into the eddy and in
view of the river.
Sometime. before there had been
quite cold snap and strip of ice had
formed and still chung to the canyon
wall, although at that time it was
warm enough for spring.
''The river was low, and the eddy
did not run up so fiercely, and l padded
on down, determined to go as far as
possible. i had got to where a few
good strokes of the paddle would send
me out of the,eddy and into the main
current of the river, that just ahead
set in strong against the wash.
Suddenly with deafening report,
a great length of the ice broke loose
from the rock with kick that sent it
far out, sweeping the boat with it.
The current caught it and in an instant
ice and boat were shooting rapidly
down stream.
l struggled with the paddle, then
dropped it and tried the oars, but my
efforts were in vain.
"Just below the river was roaring
through fearful rapid / looked ahead
into the foam churned chaos, then back
to the entrance of the alluring valley,
and exulted, laughing like maniac,
faced with joy the raging hell below
me, for was l not out of the clutches
of the golden vampire? l had eluded
the horror and the spell of the yellow
devil was broken.
''The fighting with the angry waters
.steadied me. 1t was just what l need
ed, for truly 1 was right upon the
ragged edge and topping.
81 won't go into details about my
trip. | Jared on down the river, escap-
ing disaster by many narrow squeak,
until 1 saw cabin upon the north bank
and grateful sight, smoke issuing from
the chimney. landed and was made
welcome by an eldery man who was
ranching in small may on level
bench of ground along the river.
''There is good trail from there on
up to Dixie SO gladly left my battled
SCARED boat and followed it. left
Dixie yesterday morning and came
across by Big creek to Orogrande and
am now on my way to Elk City.
go back again? may some time,
but not now, not soon. The thought Of
it makes me shudder. Yet there seems
to be something, cannot explain it,
which, am sure will eventually compel
me to return, but l will fight against it
fight hard.
"Bpt I've kept you up here when
you must be tired and, sleepy, and |
i. thank you for listening so patiently, for
the telling it has done me good.'
In little while the cabin was dark,
and ere long the stentorous breathing
of nay companion assured me that his
story wasn't keeping him awake.
1t, acted differently with me. For a
lone time stared into the dark and
wondered at the queer tale had just
heard.
The man was a lunatic., He was 8
superb liar. 1t might be true All
but the rolled oats. / grinned anc
drowsy WEAKNESS prevailed. But my
sleep was threaded with fantastic
dreams of raging torrents, awful gorges
and beautiful valleys Anon l was
sowing rolled oats, which instantaneous
ly produced rolled nuggets with eagles
upon them. There was gold. golC
everywhere, and always dead man.
grave. was awakened by the rattline
of the stove lids,my guest was building
fire.
: After breakfast, Isexplained that
/ wished to car out the rock my shot.
had broken, at the same time bringing
: forth some magazines and papers, ant
inviting him to make himself at home
He went down to the tunnel with m,
l and looked around for while, present
; ly returning to the cabin.