Year: 1869

ton of my time in the Golden State of the
Pacific. In 1919 I started with q party to
cross the plains in hopes of making my
fortune a-digging for the shining dust that
people said was to be had for picking up.
There was dozen of US, all first rate, jo-
vial fellows, all of them having had more
or less experience in roughing it out on the
prairies of the West


We had no womenkind among us to him
der our progress, so we got over the ground
pretty fast, and reached Salt Lake several
days before we had expected when we set
out. We were all well and hearty, and in
the best spirits; and after spending three
days with the Saints and getting view of
some of the ladies claimed by Brigham
and his Elders, who didn't seem at all
ayerse to our company, we turned our backs
upon them and set our faces toward the
setting sun.


The plains were no longer before us; but
a country filled with deep valleys and
steep rugged mountains. The third day
after entering upon this region, we en-
camped for the Eight on the bank of a wild
torrent that was swollen almost to the size
of river by the recent rains. It had been
with great difficulty that we got safely
across; and although it was but the mid
die OF the afternoon, we resolved not to
go any further that night as one of the
party complained of not feeling we'll


After the arrangements for camping had
been we'll nigh completed, and as the sun
was still two hours high, and not feeling
very much fatigued, threw my rife over
my shoulder and told my comrades that |
was going to take an hours tramp up the
stream where q dark gorge opened among
the mountains, in hopes to get chance
shot at something that would serve to help
us make up a supper. None OF the boys
offered to accompany me; and after receiv-
lag a caution not to wander too far, and to
return to camp before nightfall, I set out.


The way was rougher than [ expected,
and more than once [ had half a mind to
turn back; but | persevered, and for half
an hour picked my way up the rough alley,
which was hemmed in by rugged noun
tains, or rather, by high cliffs, that, owing
to some convulsion of nature, had cast
huge masses from their sides, almost block
ing up the narrow space that existed be-
tween their base and the banks of the ra-
vine, and in some places partially filling
the bed of the stream, over which the
water rushed with q noise almost deafen-
ing.


had lost sight of the smoke that arose
from our camp fire, owing to the course of
the stream that cOnIormed itself to the val
ley; and all this time | had seen nothing
that I would deign to waste powder and
bullet upon, so that I began to think
should be obliged to return to the camp as
empty handed as when | set out.


I toiled on, perhaps fifty yards further,
clambering over the jagged rocks that
blocked up my way, and at last, discour-
aged at my want Of success, was on the
point of turning back, when I espied but a
short distance before me, close to where q
few bushes grew out of the cliff, a small
creature, though from the glimpse I got OF
it could not distinguish what it was Glad
of the chance for shot, scrambled along
over the rocks to position that I coveted;
but before it was reached, the creature,
whatever it was, had disappeared, and no
traces of it could 1 find after searching for
it several minutes where / was sure that
had seen it.


Disappointed | was on the point of turn
ing back, when a loud clap of thunder re-
sounded through the sky and the next mo-
ment large drops of rain began to fall.
Startled at the sudden approach of the
storm that had been all unmindful OF, ]
glanced upward and saw that dense black
cloud was rising above the cliffs, and had
been the means of my not perceivlng It's
approach.


I know full well that one of these sudden
storms was no slight thing to encounter,
and that unless could find some place OF
shelter among the rocks, must experience
thorough drenching, as it would be i'm
possible for me to reach the camp before it
would break with all its fury.


1t suddenly occurred to me that short
distance back l had seen what appeared to
l,a tbo 10 q ho6
it particularly from the fact that large
rock hung above the entrance, which look
ed to me as if the faintest jar would dis
place it, and send it crashing down over
the aperture.


hastily retreated to this spot; but upon
reaching it l hesitated about entering. The
great boulder hung upon mass of crum-
bling rock, and looked even more threat
ening than when [ had passed it. Then
thought that I was childish in my fears, as
the rock had doubtless remained for ages
in the same position that it now occupied.
Another clap of thunder and deluge OF
rain decided me, and passed into the cave
on all fours, but not until had tried the
boulder with all my strength, though then
I could not help thinking how foolish it
was in me to think of moving it Appa-
rently might as we'll have attempted to
shake the entire cliffsas far as effectlng any
result was concerned.


I found the cave to be about ten feet In
length, half as many in breadth, and per-
haps four in height 1t was lighted to Its
furthest extent, and there was narrow
passage extending from thence further in
to the mountain, though so obstructed by
sand and large rocks that the aperture left
would hardly have admitted of the passage
of a fox.


All this 1 noticed as, seated with my
back against the wall, l listened to the
raging of the tempest without, the fury OF
which do not remember ever having seen
equaled.


Half an hour passed; and the storm, in
stead of abating, seemed to increase in
intensity, and | began to think that
should have to pass the night where I was.
knew, by the laundering of the water in
the ravine, that 1t was fast rising. From
where | sat, indeed, | could see the tor
rents in miniature cataracts dashing down
the face of the cliffs on the opposite side of
the stream 1t seemed, | fancied, almost
as the flood must have appeared at it's
commencement


bod begun to feel secure in my place
of ref,loe. and the fact of the huge boulder
being above my head no longer troubled
me. when suddenly, to my unspeakable ter
ror, / saw huge rock washed from its
sandy base and go plunging down into the
ravine. Horrors, what If the one before
me should fall and block me up? l seized
my rife and sprang toward tbs outlet. The
storm was preferable TO my place OF shelter.


Heaven have mercy p I cried, as | felt
the movements of the cliff above me; and
then, to my horror and despair, the great
boulder, loosened by the torrents of rain,
shipped from its resting place, and ere
could escape hemmed me in in perfect dark
ness.


was entombed aiveI


The horror of my situation came upon
me with such force that did what / never
did before nor since-I tainted away.