Show ON A cowcatcher LADY macdonaldd MAC DONALDS RIDE ON THE GREAT DIVIDE IP novelty excitement and a view of mag mac Scenery How several well regulated young toun men were aston dished A thin melancholy nicholy nc holy american it is an awful thing to do I 1 hear a voice say as the little group lean for forward forrd rd and for a moment I 1 feel a thrill that is s very like fear but it is gone at once and I 1 can think of nothing but the novelty tile excitement and tile the fun of 0 this mad ride in glorious and intoxicating air with magnificent mountains before and around me their lofty peaks smiling down cells on us and never a frown on oil their grand faces the pace quickens gradually surely swiftly and then wo ai abc c rushing 1 up to botho the summit wo lve soon stand on t the he great Di divide videll feet above sen sea level between the two great oceans As we pass mr E by a gesture points out a small river called bath creek I 1 think which issuing from a lake on oil the narrow sum mit level winds near tho the track I 1 look and lol the water flox flowing ving ca eastward stward toward the atlantic side turns in a moment its as the divide is passed and pours westward down tho the pacific slope many amany tunnels lie in our way as we rush by them and during a halt I 1 am told one of the tunnels ja is wet this being interpreted means that the arching rook rock is full of springs which pour on the train as it passes an ali umbrella and waterproof are therefore necessary for me now sole occupant of the cowcatcher and with praiseworthy econ economy orny I 1 take oft off my hat tuck trick it safely under my wraps and prepare to encounter the wet lowet tunnel thus equipped wo we plunge into a few moments darkness water vater splashing and dripping on every side and as wo we emerge into the sunlight again and stop just beyond the tunnel I 1 see a party of young english sportsmen standing near the roadside they have lave evidently just climbed the bank guns in hand leaving a largo large canoe banoo with two indian padd saddlers paddlers lers on the lake below fine tall young youn g S saxons axom they are in sporting attire somewhat tho the worse tor for long travel but very coave conventional U in style notwithstanding just imagine the feelings with which these well regulated young men beheld a lady bareheaded and with an umbrella seated in front of an engine at the mouth month of a tunnel in the gold range of british columbia I 1 am sorely afraid I 1 laughed outright at the blank amazement of their rosy faces and longed to ten tell them what fun fant awas was but not being introduced you know I 1 contented myself with acknowledging their presence by a solemn little baw which was quite irresistible under the circumstances A melancholy A somewhat similar incident occurred next lay day during our journey in th the 0 valley of the eraser river the special stopped at a station where a mule train was just starting tor for some distant gold mines laden with miners supplies it was very in interesting te resting to see the sturdy animals all packed and ready standing in regular order waiting for the word of command from their driver which was instantly obeyed all filing along at equal distances with tho the air of of au superior intelligence who had made up their minds to avoid hurry or couf contusion it chanced to bo be one of our halts at tea time I 1 and I 1 as usual my cup of tea and slice of bread and butter were brought to the buffer beam I 1 had just been presented with two large bouquets which lay in my lap while I 1 leisurely sipped my tea there suddenly appeared before me anc a very thin tall melancholy looking american having something to do with the pack train now slowly winding off through the mountains never shall I 1 forget the expression of that mans face as he steadily regarded me seated composedly on oil tile the cowcatcher surrounded with flowers a plate of bread and butter on a candle box ne near ar by taking afternoon tea to remain bi lent was impossible good evening I 1 s said lid the man nodded and drew a long breath have you come far he asked after a 1 lone ong pause prom from the other side of the roe kics I 1 answered carelessly as it if speaking of a stroll round a village 1300 miles or so 71 did you come that way down the tie thompson he next asked a little anxiously 0 yes and I 1 am going to the sea Youal you aint nt afraid likely lie ho continued looking more melancholy than ever not at all I 1 I 1 now look here lie said pausing between each word its real dangerous I 1 would not do this thing for a lot of mo money neyl then thrusting his hands into his pockets with a civil good evening M issis he disappeared round the engine lady macdonald in Mur rays magazine |