Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-08-05

taken down to die in a strange land W told
the man would set out on my return as soon
as possible. He ate some breakfast and then
resumed his journey, being bound as far up as
the Pottawatomie border.
/ settled up my bill, and then went for my
horse but bitter disappointment awaited me.
1 found the animals foot swollen very badly,
and it panied him so that he could hardly step
on it-Had the road been good, should have
been tempted to try him but knew that in
some places the mud would be deep. l went
to the host and asked him if he could lend or
sell me a horse. He could do neither. His
only spare horse had been shot the night be-
fore by the Wabash robber. There was not
horse in the place to be obtained for any a.
mount of money. 1 returned to the stable
and led my horse out, but be could not even
walk without great pain. could not use him,
L was in despair.
''Look'e," said mine host, as began to des-
pond, sscan't ye manage a canoe 20
eyes, very we'll, told him.
ssThen that's your best way. The current is
strong this morning, and with stroke of the
paddle 'twould take We along as fast as horse
could wade through the mud. You shall have
one of my canoes for just what it is worth, and
ye can sell it at Logansport for as much.
1 caught the proposition instantly, for I saw
that it was good one.
ssIf We daren't shoot the Rapids,'' added the
landlord, ye can easily shoulder the canoe and
pack it round. ssTisn't far.''
found the boat to be well fashioned ssdug-
out, large enough to bear four men with ease,
and 1 at once paid the owner his price-ten
dollars-and then had my luggage brought
down. l gave directions about the treatment
of my horse, and then put off. The current
was quite rapid-say four or five miles an
hour, but not at all turbulent and soon made
up my mind that this was far better than rid
ing on horseback. The banks of the river
were thickly covered with large trees, and l
saw game plenty, and more than once L was
tempted to fire the contents of my pistols at
some of the boldest of the ssvarmints 80 but 1
had no time to waste, so kept on. Only one
thing wanting, and that was companion;
but was destined to find one soon enough.
1t was shortly after noon, and had just eaten
my dinner of bread and cold meat, when l
came to place where the river made an abrupt
bend to the right, and little further on
came to a broad basin where the current formed
perfect whirlpool. 1 did not notice it until
my canoe got into it, and L found myself going
round instead of going ahead. L piled my
wood paddle with all my power, and soon sue
ceeded in shooting out from the rotary current;
but in so doing L ran myself upon the low
sandy shore. The effort had fatigued me not
a little, and rs 1 found my bark thus surely
moored / resolved to rest a few minutes.
L had been in this position some 1Stn min
utes when l was startled by hearing football
close by me, and on looking up l saw 4 man
at the side of my boat. He was a young look
ing person, not over two and thirty, and
seemed to be hunter. He wore wolf-skin
shirt, leggins of red leather, and bearskin
cap.
ssWhich way We bound, stranger ?'' he asked,
in pleasant tone.
"Down the river to Logansport,'' replied
as pleasantly.
esThat's fortunate, 1 wish to go there my
self,'' the stranger resumed. sWhat say you
to my taking your second paddle, and keep
ing you company"
ssI should like it, 1 told him frankly. ssI
have been wanting company
$50 have L. added the hunter. ssAnd I've
been wanting some better mode Of conveyance
than these worn out legs through the deep for
est''
ssCome on" said, and as l spoke he leaped
into the canoe, and having deposited his rifle
in the bow, he took one of the paddles, and
told me that he ready when was. So we
pushed off and soon cleared the whirlpool.
For an hour We conversed freely. The
stranger told me that his name was Adams,
and that his father lived in Columbus. He was
out now on a mere hunting and prospecting
expedition with some companions, who had
gone on to Logansport by horse, and having
got separated from them in the night, had lost
his horse into the bargain. He said that he
had great sum of money about his person,
and that was one reason why he disliked to
| travel in the forest alone.
Thus he opened his affairs to me, and l was
fool enough to be equally frank. l admitted
! siness; and by a most quiet and unpresumiDg
course of remark he drew from the fact
that L had money enough to purchase forty
| full lots. .
| Finally the conversation Jagged, and began
| to give my companion closer scrutiny. l sat
! in the stern of the canoe and he was about
midships, and facing me. He was not large
man nor was he tail. His hair was of light
1axen hue, and hung in large eurls about his
neck his features were regular and handsome,
and his complexion very light. But the color