Year: 1859

Let skeptical. hard. matter-of-fact
men talk as they may there is a lingering
belief in the possibility OF occasional
communication between the natural and
supernatural-the visible and the invisi-
BILE world-inherent in human nature
There are few persons whose lives do
no, contain at least some few occurrences
which are incapable of being satisfactorily
explained by any known laws-remark-
able presentments, condolences, and
sometimes appatitions even. which seem
to be beyond the reach of accident or
chance, and overcome US with special
wonder.


An undoubted instance Of this kind
happened to me while in California, In
November. 1919. Starting from Sacra-
mento on horseback. for journey to the
Mokelumne and the American Fork. |
was detained three days at lonly rancho
near the Cosumne River by violent
storm Of rain. On the fourth morning
the clouds broke away. saddled, swan
the river, and took faint .Yail leading
over the plains, intending to make
Hicks Rancho, ,twenty-four miles distant,
among the foot hills Of the Sierra Nevada.
Very soon, however, | lost the trail (which
had been completely washed out by the
rain. Riding at hazard towards the
mountain, a sudden blind instinct which
l never fel. before and cannot in.elligi-
bly, describe--to,d me to strike bee
line in certain direction. I therefore
took my bearings by the distant snowy
peaks, and rode slowly on-My mare
sinking to her knees at every step in the
loose, saturated soil. 1t was during this
ride that came upon four grizzly bears
eating acorns in little grove of oaks
Our interview was like lat Of two
Englishmen in the desert; momentary
pause-a long stare-and each hurries
to get out of the sight of the other. -
To be candid, did not desire an ictro
1uction.


made such slow progress that nigh
came on as was entering the foot hills
l had kept my bee.line faithfully all day
and when halted at dusk in a little
wooded dell blazed two trees so that
might resume the direction in the morn
ing. Giving my mare the length Of hel
iasso. that she might crop the shrubs
as thcre was no grass to be had
built up a large bonfire of dead limbs,
and sat down beside it on fallen tree
There was no moon; but the stars
twinkled clearly through the bar branch
es overhead. l had depended on reach
ing the rancho, and was therefore with
out provisions. My supper consisted OF
cigar and some rain water, which hac
gathered in hollow. What a comtor
there is IN FIRE l might giyea thrill
ting picture of my sensations--lost
alone, and famishing- which my pecuni
ous reader would shudder at, behind hi
lobster salad. But it would not be true
felt as cozy and comfortable as if be
fore my own vide fireplace in the oakcr
chamber mot built YETI and the starr!
silence of the night illed my heart witt
soothing sense of happiness and peace,


Taking the saddle for pillow,
wrapped myself in my blanket, and lay
down, with my back to the field and m!
feet to the FIRE. But my slumbers wert
short and fitful. The neighborhood wa
famous for bears; and l was apprehen
sive that my mare would take fright, ge
loose, and forsake me. So l lay awake
half an hour at time, watching tn
elimination of stars on the meridian l!n'
of slender twig over my head. Il we