The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-04

Now go on with the story:
 Tragic Story
 Zeballos, B. C., April 4-(UP)- The diary of Lloyd Coombs, trapper:
 Nev. 25-Went over to "M" creek and IN" river (Numkish River) and felled a big cedar tree for crossing We got three squirrels and six trout today. Jim's baking biscuits tonight I took a bath. The weather is good. Just foggy. That's better than rain
 Nov. 28-I went as far as Mud Lake and back to main cabin today. It rained all day. Jim got 8 couple of trout.
 Nev. 29-Raining like the devil all day.
 Dec. Went from MIC" creek up to "K" lake setting traps. Rained all day. I was soaked right through Cabin was wet and the mice ruined three pairs of socks (ate) the whole tops right off them. Jim went to the south end of the lake setting traps He got 8 couple of trout.
 Dec. 2-I set a trap over 1900 foot path to IN" river from TX" lake Came up river to V (Vernon) Lake Rained all day. The trail was flood ed out. I had to. wade up to my waist dozen places. didn't think would make it but by the skin o1 my teeth I did. Jim got two martens and coon down the lake today. Rains Heavy All Day
 Dec. 3-We went over across the lake today. Got three martens Rained heavy all day. If it ever stops raining it will be a miracle We had the coon for supper yes- terday and finished it for lunch to- day. That's the first meat we've had in here. My legs are still shaky from yesterday. Jim has another boil coming on his wrist.
 Dec. 4-Rained all day. Jim went across the lake. No fish.
 Dec. 5-Rained all day. Tried fishing. No luck.
 Dec. 7-Still raining. started fol MIG creek cabin but tree crossing on Numkish River was washed out.
 Dec. 8-Rained heavy all morning Wind storms started about g p.... Lasted about four hours. The lake was as rough as the ocean and waves washed the canoe clean off our forty foot slope. Thunder and light ming in afternoon with some hail Cleared up a little after that (blue sky) but the rains pouring down again right now, 9:30 p. m. I men, ded my cap tonight. We played crit (cribbage) tonight. We're pretty near figuring our grub by the meal right now. That's how low it is. Still Raining
 Dec. 9-Rained all day. Went down river to clearing. Water toe high to go further. Jim got five trout. I got one. First calm day for fishing for quite a while.
 Dec. 11-Went over to MIG creek cabin. Looked at 23 traps. Got one marten in the 7th trap. Light rain all day. Jim done some fishing.
 Dec. 12-Started to rain last night and just poured down till this morn- ing. It raised the creeks so couldn t go on to K lake or back to main cabin. I started for main cabin on a roundabout way, but got lost for while and foud myself back where I started. Had to stay at MIG creek cabin again tonight.
 Dec. 13-Back to main cabin and thank the Lord I got there. came down to the N river to the V (Ver- non) Rriver and up to V (Vernon) Lake. had to wade up to my hips in water. It was ice cold. I slipped and put a bad gash in my leg. left my coat and rubber pants when half way up the V river. Rained all day.
 Again The Rain
 Dec. 15-Rained off and on all day with hail and wind. Jim got six trout in afternoon. We had light break fast and nothing more until four p m. when we had fish. Cooked the last mess of beans today. Rice was finished last Sunday. We have one meal of porridge left. A few prunes and a couple of pounds of flour. Tc eat good we could finish it all in a couple of days. We're praying a plane will come in.
 Dec. 16-Rained all day. Tried fishing. No luck. had two meaE today and half ration meals at that We ate last of the beans. If the weather doesn't clear so we car catch a lot of fish guess we'll bt eating nothing pretty darn soon.
 Dec. 17-I went over the lin across the lake while Jim fishet and watched for a plane. There one of us staying right near thu cabin all the time now so if plan does come in we won't miss 1t. shot squirrel and got a weasel ] Tim got six trollt so we ate brett,