The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1907-03-07


off. He was compelled to walk
the horses, so our progress was slow,
and as we crept along the big fellow
rolled cigarettes and talked.
After travelling on the dusty and
well-worn main road, we at last came
to a dim road leading to the mine.
Taking tbs we found the grade very
steep and were compelled to stop the
horses often to rest. Soon We saw il
the distance what appeared to be q
aerd of ~huffaloes, but what on nearer
approach proved to be only numerous
piles of sagebrush used by the miner
as fuel. After ascending an unusually
steep slope we descended into the
gulch containing the mine. The day
shift was just returning from work
and they greeted us cordially.
We got down, and while the team
ster %conversed with the miners we ex
plored the deserted shafts and tun-
nels which honey-combed the side o.
the depression. There was something
mysterious about their dark depths
and we seldom penetrated far. Several
howed signs of being the sleeping
quarters of the men and one was the
abode of several half wild eats
We returned just in time to see the
teamster and mine superintendent
nrging the horses up the steep grade
1 lao 1s,v -. tIn ,tpataf nina .nI 4ks
only one in operation. The heavily
loaded wagon stuck several times and
they seemed unable to proceed, but
hy hard blows and equally hard
swearing they finally urged the horses
on and reached the level where the
lumber was needed. 1t was a hot day,
and as they worked unloading the
lumber, the perspiration streamed
down the face of the superintendent,
but our big comrade seemed as cool
as ever.
When the wagons were empty, in
stead of turning the team around on
The dump aud descending by means If
the grade, which was possible, though
it took time and patience, the reck-
less fellow determined to choose an
almost perpendicular descent. He
was in a hurry, for it would soon be
dark.
When the superintendent perceived
his intention he said: "Bctter walk
down. boys and join him at the bot
fom.' But the Russian replied: elf
they are going with me they will nave
10 ride, for | couldn't stop if ! want
.el to- We get in and started. The
heavy wagons, (there were two of
them almost plunged onto the horses.
We kept gathering momentum each
second. and the animals had a hard
t me trying to keep ahead of the
p,unging vehicles. The driver braced
hs huge form, pressed the brake and
h Id the lines with all his might. The
hack of the seat snapped off and he
came near tumblirg backwards, but
luckily rcgained his balance and did
l's best to bod the rearing animals
traight and keep the brake at the last
gateh. Looking back, | saw my cousin
N his knees in the bottom of the
wagon, not praying, but holding on as
'ght as he could. / myself was
rrasping the seat with both hands.
eor otherwise / should have been left
,ehind long before. 1t did not take
eng to reach the bottom of the steep
est part, and our speed slackened
mewhat, but we still bounded over
the rocks at a fearful pace. Happily
ve came to a slight rise which also
a ded in bringing our rate of travel
own to the normal. Looking back,
the teamster laughingly waved at the
coping group of Miners on the dump
who remained watching until we
swI pt around q carve out Of their
sight. We id not really slow up nm
til we reached the ranch inst in tmo
for supper. As my cousin and !
el'mbed down. mrch shakcn, the Rus
sian suddenly remembered something.
He drew from the jockey box a
package of dynamite! 1t had been
intended for the mine. but he had for
gotten it in his hurry. just think
Perhaps just one more jolt and we
should have lcen blown into eternity
It was noting more than a miracle
that [ had rot exploded.