"It was a question whether the claim would be legal, but the worried
old man refused to give full details of the spot, as he feared the
claim would be jumped, and he purposed going back again to make a
survey for himself.
"On his way to the cabin for Patsy, a dreadful storm came over the
mountains and lasted for three days. Snow, hail and wind blew down the
sides until it seemed as if winter had come in full blast. Of course,
no one would attempt climbing in that storm and Montresor had to remain
in his cabin for the blizzard to pass.
"When he was able to travel again, he took Patsy to help find the
place, but the rain had washed away all scent for the dog. After a
tortuous climb on the trail, made ten-fold worse by the down timber and
wash-outs, Montresor discovered land-marks and knew he was on the right
pathway.
"However, he could see no ravine or ledges, and after hunting day after
day, without locating a spot that resembled his claim, he well-nigh
caved in. There was no gully, no ledge, no wall of rock with fresh-
picked vein of gold showing in its face! In fact, so much rock and
earth and trees had been washed down from Top Notch Trail during the
great storm that the whole area he had previously covered had changed
form and appearances.
"The poor man then tried to find his claim by following Top Notch Trail
and coming down from the summit, but he was taken ill and laid up in
his cabin for a long time.
Pages:
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145