Gilpin observer., 1912-11-14
OFFICIAL PAPER OF GILPIN COUNTY.

He spent several days looking for
some way of penetrating heir fast
ness. When he did find entrance it
was impossible to take the wagon.
picketed the other. Thus equipped
for new adventures his way led up
what is now Clear Creek.
He knew nothing about mining. Of
ten he was compelled to wade in the
stream to pick his way up its me-
andering course. He knew what he
desired, but nothing showed like
gold till one day he found a piece of
rock that looked like the metal. He
had no way of telling. He simply
thought the specimen to be gold. He
was much elated over his find and
he continued to gather the kind of
rock all of one day till he had about
as much as could be conveniently car
ried
This man was not without a sense
of humor. He had almost discarded
his entire outfit to make room for
the great amount of rock gathered
along the stream. He stopped in
time. a sober realization of the sit
uation was forced upon him, that
with winter coming and 2 stock of
provisions now pretty low, he could
hardly hope to subsist on the pretty
specimens 'ound. He might discover
mountain of just such. But what
would it avail? He could not eat it
nor convert his treasure into some
thing to provide him with food.
With as much as he could carry he
returned to the valley The other mule
had disappeared as well as his wag-
on.
What was the good of all this
treasure? He might just as we'll be
dead as to expect benefit from its
possession.
He was in a terrible plight. If he
only had assurance of company to
return, he would have ridden the
mule back over the route taken to
reach the mountains. If he could feel
certain of a livelihood by hunting
and fishing he would brave the WIN
ter. 1t was at last born in on him
that he had been foolish in essaying
the matter alone or for being so
meagerly provided with actual nee
essaries.
He almost laughed at his predica-
ment. He believed he We're possessed
of fortune yet could not buy a
loaf of bread or a pound of steak.
The former long having been a
scarce article with him; the latter
he had supplied by the occasional
killing of buffalo or antelope, var
led with rabbit and prairie chickens
and he hoped to secure a bear, as
he had caught sight OF one on his
return to the valley.
He wasted an entire week looking
for his mule and wagon. He could
not believe the Indians would make
use of wagon Had they discovered
it the likelihood would be that its
destruction were necessary, there
fore destroy it by fire. But no ashes
We're discernable. OF course, they
would confiscate the mule.
| No, the Indians had nothing to do
with the disappearance of the ami
NAL or wagon. He would never again
see anything of the equipment. Then
he began building a cabin. There
was nothing with which he could
work except his pick and shovel. He
possessed a huge knife of fantastic
pattern but of good steel. Then he
still had considerable powder in
horn but little buck-shot.
The domicile wns more of dug
out than a real cabin. The front on
ly was of logs stacked one above the
other, beginning with n large one for
the base and the others diminishing
in size till the top WAS reached.
The new arrivals confessed their
calling, but Bill was reluctant to tell
of his quest for gold.
He experienced year of this sort
of existence when he was gratified
to meet party of two trappers and
hunters. 1t was surprise, a most
pleasant one all around.
One Of the trappers espied spec
linen of Bills lying on a shelf over
the fire place. 1t was an attractive
piece of rock. 1t glittered in a most
remarkable manner.
where did you get that?" asked
the inquisidve trapper.
| Get what?" broke in his partner.
Bill having been found out, owned