Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-04-20

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 hope to invent hook devoid Of
such temperamental cussedness. While
Smith was Jogging ahead up the steep
trail with his nose well In the air as If
trying TO scent game, 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 ia the very middle Of that
very narrow trail, with no chance toI
step around him, was laundering big
rattIesnake. InvoIuntarily whooped
at Smith. The fellow thought / had
glImpsed big game (and SO 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-wnere2"
watch your step. Smith; for heav-
ems sake, watch your stepI It never
pays carelessly to trample a rattle
snake"
When he saw the reptile he choked
and turned about the color of q spoiled
lemon. Then he blurted: Good Godl
H-how in he'll did ever get past tn
cussed thing?"
aAsk me something easy" begged.
"AGy guess is that you are chronic
high-stepper."
In accordance with Biblical prophecy
we killed that helpless serpent It was
q hot August day. In preparation for
ifs annual shedding, the reptile was
blind. But, as understand 1t, he was
none the less venomoug had he per-
chance struck either Of us. That was
the first and only RATHER ever saw
with double fangs, two on each side
81 the law. That may not be unusual.
II 90 NOT k4lUW. 1gA44 AAf@F& eAANAe ~@@A~~-l
tunate snakes eleven rattles.
Considerably sobered, we went on up
to the cabin to receive another shock.
During our absence Jim Mcbride had
pulled In from somewhere, seemingly
from nowhere, and had taken fun pos
session Of the cabin and surroundings.
soon I fully understood the neatness
and surprising equipment Of the place.
James Mcbride, during many years
chief scout Of the park. Is now retired
as q result Of his advanced age. he iss
or lately was, living the life Of 9 semi
hermit in Tom Lewis comfortable cab
In on top Of Crevice mountain within
. stones throw Of the northern bound
airy Of the park Obviously, jim can
not quite wholly abandon the region
wherein 50 long and faithfully he wan
dered far and wide the while guarding
that glamorous land and its equally
alamorous waters against the depreda-
tons Of fools and poachers. In his
present hearty. old age, could Jim be
induced freely to talk, no doubt ne
could tell many very interesting tale
al his adventures. But Jim is not
IouuacIous, never has been, and fear
that no ghost writer can ever closely
approach him.
TON Lewis health having failed
somewhat, he had been Obliged to leave
the top OF Crevice mountain for the
lower and less rigorous climates Of JAR
dine and Gardner JiIn's occupation
Of Toms cabin allows the old former
scout az all times widely and intimately
10 view vast area Of his beloved park
the while sedulously he guards Toms
treasured property. A guard, first, last,
and forever. All hail to James Nc
mrideg
jim greeted Smith and me briefly.
gnomRf1 mot mnkindly. introduced
asmisn as Agr. Brown o. Jardine. jim
acknowledged the introduction quietly
and w0nt ahead with bis cookins pre-
nngnklozsn. aased ham II he woald al