Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-06-17
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sY JOHN Il. HAxn1N.

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BY JOHN Il. HAML1N.
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1t was sultry afternoon in the
Nevada mountains, and the campers
biled at their ease in hammocks
swung beneath the pines. So when
Anne. the energetic one, appeared at
the flap of the girls tent and sug-
gested trip to Rock Lake, there was
no burst of enthusiasm from the lazy
ones.
Its just cloudy enough for good
flshing. Won't some one jpin me?"
entreated Anne, as she adjusted the
strap of q fish-basket about her shout
deu.
At these words Elliott Noxon's tousl-
ed head appeared above the edge of
. hammock. i.Besides,,' continued
Anne. the climb to Rock Lake will
give one fine appetite for supper"
Noxon, the every-hungry one. sank
back with sigh. "Oh, it's too hot to
be strenuous, Anne, and Pm famish-
ed right now. Let's wait till even
ing"
But the girl shook her head, pick
ed out hyrod from the assortment
Scanning against a tree trunk, and set
forth for the lake. Rags" the set
ter, followed close at her heels.
Rock Lake lay about a mile from
che camp site. The trail leading to
It crossed a mountain meadow on the
border of which and EMPOWERED in
huge FIR and pine-trees, snuggled the
tents OF the camping party. From
the far side of this meadow blum rose
In massive. volcanic terraces high
up toward the summit, in crudely
ecuiptured basin, the waters Of Rock
Lake shimmered like a, purple gem.
ANNE was no novice at mountaineer-
ing, neither was she an inexperienced
fisherman. When she topped the last
blum that hid from view the lake, she
uttered a little cry Of delight at the
scene below. The surface OF the lake
was rippled just enough by the slight
breeze to make the flies skim over
the waters in most allurlng fashion.
The girl lost no time in gaining
6he shores, and in the excitement OF
casting her flies to the "gamy'' trout,
she was totally unconscious of all else.
But Rags, the dog, who had chosen
30 act as her guardian, suddenly set
up long-drawn howl.
Heavy black clouds were rolling
over the mountains. Rumblings OF
thunder were each moment growing
more distinct.
Anne paused in her fishing long
enough to scan the approaching storm
clouds. They looked omtnous indeed,
but the trout were rising to the flies
20 beautifully that she could not re-
sist another cast. A fine lusty trout
Eeaped for the fly before 1t touched
the water; for ten minutes Anne stub.
bornly played him. Rags's frequent
howlings hardly interrupted the girls
tlssle with the fish. BY the time she
safely landed the two-pound trout,
the dog lost all patience. He caught
the edge of the girls short skirt in
hds teeth and gave it sharp tug.
20 Ragsie, isn't it beauty"
Rags response was more vigor-
GUS pull at her skirt.
Yes, Rags, am satisfied now.
We shall run for camp this very In
slant"
A clap of thunder punctuated this
remark. Anne realized that she would
have to hurry to escape severe
drenching. IShe hastily wound up
her line, slipped the reel in the pock-
Ct OF her Jacket, and as she unjointed
her fy-rod, warm drop OF rain fell
upon her hand.
% dear me, Rags. why didn't l
obey your warning long ago? We
shall have to take the short cut to
camp"
The short cut was down deep
gorge that cleft the western wall Of
che mountain. Although 1T was mid
summer, the altitude was SO great
that the gorge was choked with a
s'ue drinc OF snow, which complete
y iii,en Inc upper portion and termi.
mated IN wall OF dripping ice half
way down me canon.
~ was q quick but dangerous de-
scent. The campers had used it but
once neiore' only to find the way
ouna Dy me longer trail preferable.
a nash OF lightning decided Anne's
oulse she scrambled through a
tangle of manzanitas. climbed up a