Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-03-08
X.
En- Route.

@CAsN 0~Ct' ~ 49,
that whatsoever her husband set about
doing he did swiftly and with inflex-
ible purpose. There was no malinger-
ing or doubtful hesitation. Once his
mind was made up, he acted. Thus.
upon the third day from the land stalk
ing. they bore away eastward from the
clearing, across a trackless area, trav-
cling by the sun and Bills knowledge
of the country.
"SOme day there1l be trails blazed
through here by a paternal govern
ment." he laughed Over his shoulder,
'for the benefit Of the public. But we
don't need 'em. thank goodness"
The buckskin pony Hazel had
bought for the trip in with Limping
George ambled sedately under a pack
containing bedding. clothes and a light
shelter tent. The black horse, Niger,
he of the cooked ear and the rolling
eye, carried in a pair of kayaks six
weeks supply of food. Bill led the
way, seconded by Hazel on easy-gaited
Silk. Behind her trailed the pack
horses like dogs well broken to heel,
patient under their heavy burdens. of
in the east the sun was barely clear
of the towering Rockies. and the
woods were still cool and shadowy,
full Of aromatic odors from plant and
tree.
There was no monotony in the pass
ing days. Rivers barred their way.
These they forded or swan, or ferried
a makeshift raft of logs, as seemed
most fit. Haps and mishaps alike they
accepted with an equable spirit and
the true philosophy of the trail-to
take things as they m When rain
deluged them, there was always shell
ter to be found and fire to warm them.
If the flies assailed too fiercely, a
smudge brought easement of that i'll.
Each day was something more than a
mere toll of so many miles traversed.
The unexpected, for which both were
eager-eyed. lurked on the shoulder of
each mountain, in the hollow of every
cool canyon, or met them boldly in
the open, naked and unafraid.
Bearing up to where the Nachaco
debOuches from Fraser lake, with a
Hudson's bay fur post and an Indian
mission on its eastern fringe, they
came upon a blazed line in the scrub
timber. Roaring Bill pulled up, and
squinted away down the narrow lane
fresh with ak marks.
"Well," said he, ST wonder what's
coming off now? That looks like a
survey line of some sort. 1t isn't a
trail-tOO wide. Let's follow it q
while.
"Pll bet a nickel" he asserted next,
that's a railroad survey"
Half an hour of easy jogging set the
seal of truth on his assertion. They
came upon a man squirting through
a brass instrument set on three legs
directing, with alternate wavings OF
his outspread hands, certain activi
ties of other men ahead of him.
well, I'll be- he bit off the sen.
tence, and stared a moment in frank
establishment at Hazel. Then he tool
off his hat and bowed. "GOod morn
ing" he greeted politely.
Sure" Bill grinned. "We have
mornings like this around here all the
time. What all are you fellows doins
in the wilderness, anyway? Railroad?'
"Cross-section work for the G.. 7
p" the surveyor replied.
Huh" Bill grunted. as it a deat
cinch, or is it something that may pos
sibly cOme to pass in the misty flu
ture?"
"As near a cinch as anything eve.
is" the surveyor answered. "Construc
ton has begun-at both ends.
thought the few white folks in thi
country kept tab on anything as i'm
pOrtant as n new railroad"
We've heard a lot, but none of 'en
has t%ranspired yet; not in my time
anyway" Bill replied dryly. GLOW
ever, the world keeps on moving. Nv
heard more or less talk of this, but
didn't know it had got past the talkin
stage. What's their Pacific terminal?
prince Rupert-new town on a pc
ninsula north of the mouth of tn
Skeena," said the surveyor. Its
rush job all the way through, 1 believe
LhACV yCdlo W oplhV up lLG IdSI RAJ
And that's going some for a transcor
tinental road. Both the Dominion an
B. c. governments have guarantee
the c%ompany's bonds away up into mi
lions"
"Be a great thing for this country
! say, where does it cross the Rockies
what's the general route?' Ri
asked abruptly.
Goes over the range through Ye
t lOwhead pass. From here it follow
| the Nachaco to Fort George, then u
t the Fraser by Tete Juan each,
through the pass, then down the At
! abasca till it switches over to strik
t Edmonton"
"Uh-huh," Bill nodded. "One Of IL