The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-07-03
EPISODE !

On every side the great snow-capped
mountains Of the range thrust their
heads far into the swimming reaches
of the sky. As far as the eye could
reach jumbled masses Of beetlng cliffs
and cleaning domes arose in height
above height like the inconceivably
vast waves Of sea. Between these
monsters Of the range lay canyons that
the rays Of sunlight never reached the
bottom of. And it was in one Of these
secret hiding places Of Nature that
there lay veins of rich, yellow ore OF
"a richness to cause the beholder to
blink his eyes and his heart to give a
great jump when he first contemplated
e.
Such was the secret treasure place
found by Old John Carr, lifetime pros
pector and miner, in the closing days
of his life, and known to no living man
but him. Above the brink Of pre-
cipitous cliff whose walls fell sheer
away into dizzy depths, the fur-capped
head Of man with long silver beard
slowly arose. Assisting himself up by
means of an alpenstock he clambered
above the brink and stood upon its
ledge, tall and straight, rugged speci-
men Of the fearless tribe that ever
has forced its way into the most Sc
cret places Of nature.
For q full minute he stood straight
and sharp cut as a statue outlined
against the sky as he ran his eyes
slowly over the wide spreading pano-
rama that lay before him. The country
was without habitation, not even the
smoke of distant fire being visible
except in one place. This came from q
valley in which there stood substan-
tial log cabin with huge stone
chimney at one end.
This cabin nestled far below and
not a great ways from the crest OF the
big ridge. or summit Of the peak.
Close by were sheds and stables for
horses, a corral adjoining them. John
Carr, pioneer in this wilderness, was
paying them a silent farewell
The sun climbing the eastern sky
bathed him in a flood Of golden light.
He took his alpenstock and thrust 1t
firmly into the rocks so that it stooo
upright, then fastened his red bandana
handkerchief to it after the manner
Of q flag. Next taking from the breast
pocket Of fur bordered mackinaw a
letter, he fastened it to the base OF
the staff. As the alpenstock now stood
with the red cloth waving from its
top in the mountain breeze, it was an
object which could be seen for long
distance. Once more he turned his
face to the scene below.
From out Of the corral an Indian
came strolling and passed into the
house, while the rough hand Of the old
miner for an instant swept itself across
his face.
sThere never was better Injun
than Rainface," he murmured. Then
turning suddenly he leaped straight
out into the air and downward beyond
the ridge. Thus 1t was that John
Carr departed from the scene which
had known him for so many years.
Within the cabin far below Rainface
was putting logs upon the fire.
From an adjoining room where they
had just finished their breakfast John
Davis and Ethel Carr emerged. The
man was tall and powerfully built
dressed in winter outing costume,
while the girl wore Indian leggings and
a short homemade jacket trimmed
with fur. The adopted daughter OF
John Carr, Ethel had been brought up
In the mountains almost as uncon-
trolled as the creatures Of the ravines
themselves. Her hair falling down her
back, was plated, Indian fashion, and
fastened with a bow. Although she
was 1S years Of age, in her youthful
dress she looked far younger.
'It is hard to learn to eat like one
Of your ladies of the cities, where they
think they are so nice," she protested
with a little pout. "You are always
scolding me because don't use fork
when a spoon or knife is so much more
convenient. I wish you would let me
eat the way I want to-" John smiled.
sYou will get used to it soon enough.
And remember that you soon have got
to take your place among the other
ladies of the world" From the kitchen
came the generously proportoned f1g-
ure of Bridget Wegan, middle aged:
cheerful of face, motherly. Reproach-
fully she turned upon Davis.
"Oh, lave the poor babby alone,
Mister Davis. Sure what matter does
it make if one uses spade or hoe SO
long as the ditch is dug. And if body
gets the vittles into ones mouth, small
matter how they get them there. IT'S
q little thing to worry about, is it not,
Ra;nface." The Indian grunted.
FINGERS plenty good enough TOR
me-" he returned solemnly.
Still smiling Davis took down pair
Of snowshoes from the wall, while the
girl followed his example. Drawing