Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1912-06-21


place a flying leap must be made
across the staream, with only slop-
ing rock wall to land upon. Some
way Henry made 1t without falling In.
and with his help too got across, but
slipped after safety was reached. and
as result l found II expedient TO
climb up the mountainside, which here
sloped conveniently. and lie In the
warm sun and dry out.
House OF the Hermit.
Soon the canyon narrowed and
where the creek rushed between ver-
tical walls we must needs wade the
stream. on came the shoes and stock
ings, and IN we went 1t was q cold
Job. I'm sure that Ice water would
be only milk-warm In comparisons to
that little river.
Thus we went on. wading when nec-
essary. and resuming our shoes ana
walking when we could.
Later we sat BY the big pool. churned
by a plunging waterfall, and watched
several trout az they darted about In
their LIQUID home. And when we went
on. again, Henry. with his usual LUCK
PASSED this pool dry-shod. and ! slip.
ped down the smooth side of rock
big as house, and pumped into the
sitting room of the trout From tnis
time on / was not 30 particular abont
taking of my shoes and stockings be-
a. -.
When the canyon opened out q lit
tie and there was at last q trail
through vines and trees and ferns high
alJoye the creek, we hurried along and
covered some miles In short time. only
to- be confronted by wall ACROSS tho
canyon, down which leaped large
fall In three cascades 6 tumbling'
silver.
We saw the. game was up In that d.
rection. but were glad to find trail
leading up the side OF the hill and
over divide: and standing az the
tap. we knew we we're about to- reach
our goal, for below us the stream ran
ctrcling through valley and several
SkOne uOuStt vi uutos
Soon we were in the house OF the
Hermit and we're drying out before
the wood FIRE on the hearth. Outside,
the river roared along under the naked
trees. and the wind tore by the cabin,
shrieking: that storm was coming
liBut little We cared as we undid our
lunch and accepted at the hands or
1.-THE Hermit tin cups OF black and
steaming coffee. 1t mattered not that
II was poured from an ancient sprink-
ling can. or that the room was not up
TO good housewife standards OF neat
ness. Poor Hermit! For ten years
this room has been his library, gran
airy. katchen, wood-house and store
room. But his. heart was kind as his
black beard was long. and whsn he
found a silver dollar in one OF the re-
turned coffee cups, the presence OF
whiph none Of US could account for,
his, protestatians were long and sin
cere.
At three O'Clock that afternoon ve
lleft our shelter, and bidding the Her.
nit goodby, started up the steep trail
to the top sf the ridge. Soon we were
above the noise Of the stream. but the
wind was louder ahan ever, and 9
Train started to fall. changing soon 70
a sleet. However It was only the
edge of the storm that We were In:
across the canyon and back on the far
Their ranges we could soc the clouds
dropping their burdens OF moisture In
great sheets. and saw soon, too. the
slopes whiten under falling snow. Az
we came out on top. Of the divide snow
WINS coming down upon us. also. and
through It's fflmy curtain we looked
out and saw the San Gabriel valley
shining in the sun and the new green
ION the hills on the farther side appear
ing like great crinkly folds In q cloth
Of velvet, rare and never-to-be-for
s,ntfou uiaW