Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1887)
THE SAWTOOTH CAVE. 8G1 a thick growth of black pine. Parody, not being able to escape so easily, ran though some undergrowth and hid un der the root of a fallen tree, in a good sized stream that emptied into the main river. Here he remained all that after noon, and until after dark, up to his neck in the cold water. Indians passed back and forth, crossing the creek on the log above him, and at times, cold as he was, his cheeks would burn when the thought flashed through his mind that the object of their search was none other than himself, and that, should one of the blood-thirsty fiends think to look undsr the root, his scalp would in five minutes be dangling from the belt of a dusky savage, and his body ready to be de voured by wolves at night He thought of his mother and sisters at their dear old home in Chicago, and, for the first time in many years, prayed earnestly to God for protection. He had been in many Indian fights, and had been driv en through mountains by the savages, but never having before been so closely cornered, always gave vent to his feel ings in strong oaths. But circumstances alter cases, and this was one instance. It was some time after dark, and sev eral hours after the savages had passed on down the river, before Parody sum moned up sufficient courage to leave his hiding place; and when he did, was so cold and stiff, that to walk was a great effort; still, with his undaunted courage, he commenced to climb the high moun tain in front, all the time thinking of his companions, and wondering whether the Indians had overtaken and murdered them. Before daylight, he had gained the summit, and commenced the descent into a canyon, which ended at the river below where the party had been at tacked, but, at the time, he thought he was going straight ahead. The descent was very rugged, and the bottom of the canyon was not reached until daylight He passed cautiously down through the brush and rocks, sometimes starting bowlders down the hillside, or stepping on a small twig, causing a shudd.r to pass through his frame. It is astonish ing how loud the breaking of a twig will sound, or the rumbling a small rock roll ing down a hillside will mako, under such circumstances. A man, when ho thinks savages are skulking around hunt ing for him, imagines that his breathing could be heard a quarter of a mile. Par ody had not traveled far, when ho sud denly found himself in tho camp of his companions, and was in high gleo on seeing that tho number was increased to six, by tho addition of threo old pros pectors, and all armed with repeating rifles. After partaking of a hearty break fast, the party rcsumf d their journoy up the Salmon, after ascertaining, by tho tracks in tho sand, that tho Indians had passed on down tho river, and seoing no signs of their return. They wero an other week in reaching tho mouth of Valley creek, whero thoy camped ono night. Tho journoy of threo weeks was an ex cecdingly rough ono, as tho party was continually passing over high and rug ged mountains, or through deep and rocky canyons. But tho scenery was grand, being varied by tho foaming or tranquility of tho river below, beautiful plateaus, covered with majostio pines and firs, in Borne places smooth moun tains covered with evergreens of various shades, and in others pcrpendicular-or almost so-cliffs standing against tho clear, bluo sky, to tho height of thou sands of feet, with streaks of snow filling the ravines, or crevices, from which is sue beautiful little creeks, clear as crys tal These were filled with speckled mountain trout, the most delicious food of tho finny tribe. Valley creek afforded a splendid placo for a day's rest, finh and game being