The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-04-26

the cabin. Smith was very anxious to
see some of the parks famed tame
wild animals. The lower part of that
little trail occupies the sharp V-bottom
of a shallow gully with thick brush
bordering it Immediately on the south
while steeply rising decomposed por-
phyry crowds it on the north.
My hook caught in the brush. Some
| day I hope to invent a hook devoid of
such temperamental c~ussedness. While
Smith was Jogging ahead up the steep
trail with his nose we'll in the air as if
trying to scent game, I managed to I'M
tangle my hook and line and began
hurrying to catch up with him. Sud-
denly I stopped short; and, be it known,
I had good cause thus to stop. Lying
coiled neatly in the very middle of that
very narrow trail, with no chance to
step around him, was a laundering big
rattlesnake. Involuntarily I whooped
at Smith. The fellow thought I had
glimpsed big game (and S I had).
With his head held high the while he
scanned the surroundings he came
plunging down the trail toward me
and possible devastation. In order to
stop him I had to threaten him with
the rock I had picked up for defense
against the snake. Then, with his chin
still up, eagerly he looked around while
asking: "Where-where?"
watch your step, Smith; for heav-
ems sake, watch your step! It never
pays carelessly to trample a rattle
snake"
When he saw the reptile he choked
and turned about the color Of a spoiled
lemon. Then he blurted: Good God!
H-how in hell did I ever get past tn
cussed thing?"
"Ask me something easy" I begged
my guess is that you are a chronic
high-stepper."
In accordance with Biblical prophecy
we killed that helpless serpent. It was
a hot August day. In preparation fol
its annual shedding, the reptile was
blind. But, as I understand it, he was
none the less venomous had he per-
chance struck either OF us. That wa
the first and only RATHER I ever saw
with double fangs. two on each side
of the jaw. That may not be unusual
I do not know. I still have that unfor.
tunate snakes eleven rattles.
Considerably sobered, we went on w
to the cabin to receive another shock
During our absence Jim Mcbride hat
pulled in from somewhere, seemingl!
from nowhere, and had taken full pos
session of the cabin and surroundings
Soon I fully understood the neatnes'
and surprising equipment of the place
James Mcbride. during many year.
chief scout of the park, is now retiret
as a result of his advanced age. He is
or lately was. living the life OF a semi
hermit in Tom Lewis comfortable cab
in on top of Crevice mountain withll
q stones throw of the northern bound
ary of the park. Obviously. Jim can
not quite wholly abandon the regio1
wherein so long and faithfully he wan
dered far and wide the while guardlnI
that glamorous land and its equall
glamorous waters against the depreda
lions of fools and poachers. In hi
present hearty old age, could Jim b
induced freely to talk, no doubt n
could tell many a very interesting tai
of his adventures. But Jim is nc
Ilouuacious, never has been, and I fea
that no ghost-writer can ever closel
approach him.
Tom Lewis health having faile
somewhat, he had been obliged to leav
the top of Crevice mountain for tn
lower and less rigorous climates OF jar
dine and Gardiner. Jim's occupatlo
of Toms cabin allows the old forme
scout at all times widely and intimatel
to view a vast area of his beloved par
the while sedulously he guards Tom
treasured property. A guard. first, las
and forever. All hail to James MI
Bride!
Jim greeted Smith and me briefl
though not unkindly. I introduce
Smith as Mr.. Brown Of Jardine. il
acknowledged the introduction quietl
and vent ahead with his cooking pr,