Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-01-12
CHAPTER X
En Route.


Long since Haze. had become aware
that whatsoever her husband set about
doing he did swiftly and with infiex-
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 sral-
ing. they bore away eastward from the
clearing, across traclless area. tray
cling by the sun and Bits knowledge
Of the country.
"Some day there1l be trails blazef
through here by 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 pack
containing bedding, clothes and light
shelter tent. The black horse, Niger,
he of the cooked ear and the rolling
eye, carried in 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. Off
in the east the sun was barely clear
Of the towering Rockies. and the
woods were still cool and shadowys
'uIl Of aromatic doors from plant ami
rec.
There was no monotony in the pass
ing days. Rivers barred their way
These they forded or swan, or ferriet
a maEeshift raft Of logs, as seemed
most fit. Haps and mfshaps alike they
accepted with an equable spirit and
the true philosophy Of the trail--to
take things as they come. When rain
aeluged 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 8
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
lebouches from Fraser lake, with
Hudson's bay fur post and an Indian
mission on its eastern fringe, they
zane upon a blazed line in the scrub
imber. Roaring BIZ pulled up. and
squinted away down the narrow lane
fresh with ak marks.
"Well,"' said he, 81 wonder what's.
coming off now? That looks like a
survey line of some sort. It isn't a
trail--too wide. Let's follow it a
while.
"Tll bet nickel" he asserted next,
that's railroad survey
Half an hour of easy jogging set the
seal of truth on his assertion. They
came upon a man squirting through
brass instrument set on three legs.
directing, with alternate wavings of
his outspread hands. certain activi-
ties of other men ahead of him.
swell, TIL be-" he bit off the SEN
tence, and stared moment In frank
astonishment at Hazel. Then he took
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 doing
In the wilderness. anyway? Railroadg'
"Cross-section work for the G.. r..
r." the surveyor REPLIED.
Huh" Bill grunted. SIS 1t dead
lcinch, or Is 1t something that may pos.
sibly come to pass in the misty flu
tureY'
"As near a cinch as anything ever
is" the surveyor answered. "Construc-
ton has begun--a at both ends. /
thought the few white folks in this
country Kept tab on anything as i'm
portant as new railroad"
"We've heard LOT, but none OF 'em
has transpired yet; not in my time,
anyway" Bill replied dryIy. sHow-
ever. the world keeps on moving. I've
heard more or less talk of this, but I
didn't know II had got past the talking
stage. What's their Pacific terminal?"
"Prince Rupert--new town on pc
ninsula north Of the mouth Of the
Skeena,' said the surveyor. TITS a
rush job all the way through. believe.
Three years to spike up the Inst rail.
And that's going some for transcon-
| tinental road. Both the Dominion and
B. G. governments have guaranteed
the eampany's bonds away up into mil
. I