Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-09-20
b 1 L l. A T KIN s;
II Il III + L A T Z s NJ a Y


encompasscd by the green banks of the Sus-
quehanna of which little has been sssaid or
sung - but no one, who has dwelt within the
sound of its waters, can hear the word Graft
ing without a thrill that sends the blood
warmer and faster through the veins.
| When the snow lies deep over valley and
village, all winter long is heard the ringing OF
the sturdy woodman's axe ; and the dark green
| hemlock, the tufted pine, and even the s'giant
oak, wayer before his good steel, and come
groaning and heavy to the breast of 'smother
earth.'' e-
| When the spring time comes, and the river,
! breaking the ice-ehains which bound it, swells
fiercely within its sloping banks, there is heard
I the din of unceasng labor. Strong hands soon
! bind the trunks of the old Sforest lords,' and
in a few hours they are securely lashed togeth-
er, and lay heaving on the turbulent waters"
1t is wild life the raftsman leads, when once
/ his frail island is launched the soil-stained
waves; but to his hardy spirit, the very tolls
and dangers he, encounters form the greatest
charm of the rude voyage. If the raft should
swing slowly over some obstacle, ere the noun
tain echoes have answered the steersman's
lOtlu ''t1dliuS over, Illil IL OoLeH lldGNy
have plunged in the tide, and as many strong
shoulders have pushed 1t once more on its
! trackless path When the star-lit night is
! shining over them, their floating home is
| pushed once more out of the strong current,
and fastened to the shore. And with the un-
ceasing song of the hurrying waters in their
| ears, outsretched on the rough timbers, they
sleep soundly, until the first streak of dawn
mets into the sky.
! The raftsmen are, for the most part hardy
mountaineers, whose whole lives have been
| passed in this calling; and it is almost impos-
! sible to iragine the reckless devotion with
which they regard it.
The story am about to relate, and for the
! truth of which will be a voucher, is a fair
| illustration of the enthusiasm which governs
| them. assf
OF all the steersmen on the Susquehanna
the very pride and glory one Bill Atkins,
a broad-shouldered, athletic young fellow,
| with a ray from his good natured soul. twink
| ling in his clear blue eye, and a tone of it in
his lusty voice. 1t CHANGED one day Bill stray
ed into a camp-meeting, and whatever might
have been the motive that took him in, he
came out, to the astonishment of his brother
raftsmen, ssncw man;" and faithful to his
| energetic nature, not content with working
only an oar on the way to heaven, Bill fairly
petrified his old comrades by becoming a
steersman-and turned sspreacher.,'
Time wore on; Brother Atkins proved him
self powerful auxiliary to the body Metho-
distical, and was soon settled over the little
church by the road side, on the river bank
1t was said he welded the sword of the Spirit
with great power; and if any very strong argu-
ment reared itself in his way, he steered clear
of it with as much skill if it were rock
while he exuted over the bearing down of &
, weak one in the self-same tone he used to sing
out eeheave yo, heave," in time of old.
, Spring was coming on, and the snow had
melted so gradually from the hills, that the
| river, rs yet, wound its way along as mucl
: like silver thread as if it were midsummer
Produce was spelling, and the timber was wait
ing for the freshet. Raftsmen were watching
:, sky and water anxiously, and Brother Atkins
with commendable faith, betook himself t.
;, prayer that the sSwindows of heaven" nigh
!, be opened, and enough rain be sent for
S Grating fresh" Perhaps it was in answer t.
: his unique petition, that the next week tn
n sswindows of heaven'' were opened. and tn
o rain came pouring down in torrents.
r The river banks were smooth, and slopini
r near the church, and from time immemorial
was here that RATS had been made. A gian
: old elm still bears the girdling marks of tn
: rope which bound them to the shore.
The river had risen to a furious height, an
y still the rain came. pouring down. The RATS
k men worked cheerily and steadily at the hug
timbers, while the preacher was frequentl
seen among them, showing how this por
should be secured, and how long that tmbe
= should be, until, as the work drew near con
pletion, Brother Atkins felt all the interest on
. naturally feels in the result of ones own skill
With all his dexterty in his new vocation
e the tide of old habits was hurrying poor Bi
fast upon dangerous rocks.
e After giving the matter due reflection, h
> made a sort of compromise with his minister
al duties, and offered to run the raft, as of oh
u to the ssIsland, s'provided, that there shou
III be no swearing among his comrades duriT
re the trip. This was readily agreed to, AM
e with his conscience at ease, Brother Atkil
threw off his coat, as if he would have throw
az off the parson with it, and went heartily
work with the others. Hammers few taste
timbers rolled together with fresh impetu
and soon the raft lay completely in the de-
90 water.
nd Saturday morning came; still the rain pot
ed, and still the river rose; but at noon I
dark clouds rolled away, over the mounta