The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-06-05
reed by a
Snow slide
By JOHN H. HAMLIN.

~ d WIN ~ "A n u lana ~
osxe, ,.:.a',.:ss.,se
It was slltry afternoon in the
Nevada mountains, and the campers
lOlled ait their ease in hammocks
swung beneath the pines. So. when
Anne, the energetic one, appeared at
the flap eff the girls tent and sug-
gested trip to Rock Lake. there was
NO burst of enthusiasm from the lazy
ones.
TITS just cloudy enough for good
flshing. Won't some one. join me?"
entreated Anne, as she adjusted the
strap of a fsh-basket about her shout
deus
At these words Elliott Noxon's tousl-
ed head appeared above the edge of
q hammock. Besides" continued
Anne, ''the climb to Rock Lake will
give one a fine appetite for supper"
Noxon, the every-hungry one. sank
back with a sigh. ooh, 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 a fiyrod from the assortment
1eaning against a tree trunk, and set
forth for the lake. Rags" the set
ter, followed close at her heels.
Rock Lake lay about mile from
the camp site. The trail leading to
Il crossed 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 bluff rose
In massive, volcanic terraces; high
up toward the summit. in crudely
sculptured basin, the waters of Rock
Lake shimmered like purple gem.
ANNE was no novice at mountaineer-
ing, neither was she an inexperienced
fisherman. When she topped the last
blur 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 alluring 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
to 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 Ominous indeed.
but the trout were rising to the flies
so beautifully that she could not re-
6ist another cast. A fine lusty trout
Ieaped for the fly before it touched
the water; for ten minutes Anne stub
bornly played him. Rags frequent
hoWlings hardly interrupted the girls
tussle 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
his teeth and gave it a sharp tug.
20 Ragsie, isn't it beauty"
Rags response was a more vigor-
GUS pull at her skirt.
Yes Rags. l 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 a severe
dTenchipg.a IShe hastily wound up
her line, slipped the reel in the pock-
ct of her jacket, and as she unjointed
her ay-rod, warm drop OF rain fell
upon her hand.
20 dear me, Rags. why didn't
obey your warning long ago2 We
shall have to take the short cut to
camp
The short cut was down deep
gorge that cleft the western wall OF
the mountain. Although 1t was MIDI
summer. the altitude was so great
that the gorge was choked with
huge drif. of snow. which complete
~ hlled the upper portion and terni.
mated in a vall of dripping ice half
way down che canon.
It was a quick but dangerous de-
scent The campers had used it but
once before, only to find the way