The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1907-09-13
Selert Misrellany.
Coaly and the Lion.

When l was fifteen years old my
father sent me for a. wagon load o
lumber to Forth Worth, which wal
seventy five miles distant from ou1
new claim.
His intention was that | should gc
with two neighbors who had squatteG
some miles from our place; but they
started earlier than did, and l could
not drive my oxen fast enough tc
overtake them that day. Lep, my
nigh OK, was big, red and white fel
low with enormous horns which he
was too good-natured to use. Coaly
the black, off OK, was of different
temper.
He was taller than Lep, much
quicker, and had shorter, sharper
horns. He would kick as we'll as
hook, be particularly hated dogs, and
was altogether so vicious when un-
yoked that nothing but his good con-
duct when yoked saved him from the
butcher.
Sunset found me near the foot of
a long hill that led me down into q
| gorge about five miles from what was
then the hamlet of Paluxy. The road
seldom travelled in those days, was
too vague to be followed by night
without upsetting the wagon. So
reluctantly turned aside into a small
open space among the cedars, and
halted. The month was January,
but the weather was mild for the sea-
son.
The steep, rocky sides of the wild
gorges were overgrown with twisted
cedars, and rose to what l thought a
great heith. In the gloom and lone
illness l made my preparations for
camping with much trepidation, al
though | really had no other reason
for fear than that wolves, wildcats,
and mountain lions had been encoun-
tered in this great ravine.
After unyoking the oven and tying
them to trees, collected dry cedar
wood, of which there was an abun-
dance, and piled it near the wagon.
When fire had been kindled, l warm.
ed myself and felt more cheerful.
As soon as was warm l fed the
oxen and then prepared my own sup
per. Mother had provided me with
good supply Of cooked provisions. Af-
ter broiling some slices of pork on a
stick, and warming some bread in the
same way, | made hearty meal
Then | sat for a while before the
fire enjoying its warmth, and soon
grew sleepy in spite of my surround
ings. Knowing that would have to
get an early start the next morning,
in order to overtake my friends, l
thought it we'll to 60 to bed early. l
had determined to sleep on the ground
by the fire.
After spreading layer of unbound
sheaf oats on the ground, put down
several quilts for bed, and then 9th.
ers for coverings. Then | piled more
wood on the fire, gave the oxen
good supply of oats and fodder, and
crawled into my not uncomfortable
bed
While listening to the wind Shrek
ing drearily across the billtops, and
to the more cheerful sounds of the
cracking fire and champing oxen, |
feel asleep.
Several hours must have passed be-
fore | awoke, and found myself look
ing up at sky covered with thin,
fleecy clouds. through which the wan
ing moon shone dimly. Raising my
head, l looked around. The fire had
burned out, for cedar wood does not
last long. Only few Goals were Wis.,
ible where the cracking blaze had
BEEN.
Being warm and com Portable, | did
not trouble myself about the fire know
ing that | could rekndle it when
morning came. had relied upon IL
To h""r h. wild animals away; but
now tLa> lie moon bad risen, ! was