The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-09-13

Fort Niagara, which has been a strong hold
and point of contest for more than one hum
dred years. Several severe conflicts have
occurred here between the French and In
dians-between the English and French-as
well as between the English and Americans.
We were soon out on the broad bosom OF
lake Ontario, bound first for Toronto, at the
western end, and thence to the east end,
two hundred miles, where it forms the st.
Lawrence river. We had not got out more
than ten minutes before the lake became
very rough with the prospect of a squall.-
1t was almost impossible to walk any where
without holding to something for support
Many became sea-sck and among them
was q beautiful Canadian girl, who had
came with US from Niagara, and who our
Mr.. Fl. seemed to notice very closely. She
was sitting almost alone out on the f0recas-
tie, and being very sick was about to expe-
rieRce the usual effect of sea-sickness by
" heaving over the taffrail." H., who saw
her, was of course on hand in a jiffy,
and although a stranger was ready to assist
her by holding her head and giving her all
necessary advice or information as far as he
knew. We were then about ten miles from
Toronto, and the lady told II. if she ever
lived to get there, she should leave the lake
forever and complete her journey by rail-
road. While he was still holding her in his
arms, she appealed to him in the most
beseeching manner to know how far it was.
This was puzzler for him, for he really
did not know. But not wishing to let her
know his ignorance on any point, he
boldly said ''eighty miles-eighty miles,
miss" He told her to cheer up, as he knew
she would be much better soon that she
had much better remain on the boat, &c
No doubt under the circumstances he wished
it was eighty miles farther before she could
get off
But he had not enjoyed this arduous duty
to his fellow passenger but short time, be-
fore the Captain and brother of the lady
came forward and relieved him, thanked
him for his services, but said they would
not need him any longer as they were then
IN sight of Toronto. H. left that part of the
boat Immediately, and complained of being
suddenly somewhat sea sick.
Toronto is the second largest city in Brit
ish America, and contains about CO. 900 in
habitants. 1t is a handsome city-well
situated and commands fine trade. The
whole city was filled with preparations for
receiving the Prince of Wales in a few days.
We left for Montreal in the evening, and
were all night on the lake, which was quite
rough. This lake is 60 miles wide and on an
average 600 feet deep. This is not very
comfortable information when on it In a
steamer. The next morning we arrived at
the head of the St. Lawrence river This
stream varies much in width-from two to
nine miles. The water is deep and up to
the very shores is as clear as crystal. Take
it altogether, it certainly has more hand
some views and grand scenery than any of
our American rivers. First, we passed
through what is called the Thousand ISL
ands but in reality there is said to be about
1900 of them, and they are all sizes, from
a few yards square to ten miles in length.
They ere all composed of rock foundation,
and are covered with evergreens, principal
ly cedar, pine, and arbor vitG. The many
channels between them appear to be per-
feet labaryuth. In descending the river one
is continually puzzled to know whether the
pilot will next steer right or left, or split an
isle in two with the sharp bow of his lake
steamer The waters aud islands abound
in fish and fowl of finest quality, and are
great resort for sportsmen. Their exceed
ing beauty is the praise Of all who have
ever seen them.
There are many towns of interest and i'm
portance on the river, among which is Og-
denSburg, N. Y, where we changed steamer
fnl steamer, built expressly for navigating
the river below this point, which is full of
dangerous rocks and rapids that have become
famous with the sightseeing world. The
current in many places runs at the rate of
twenty or thirty miles per hour. Good
steamers can descend safely, but none that
ever was built can stem the torrent to go ur.
The ascent is made by means of canals and
locks built for the purpose. The descent IS
always grand and at some places really ter
rife. The longest of these rapids is called
the Long Sault, and is nine miles in extent.
To give you some idea Of its current, we
were told that timber RATS (timbering is a
great trade here) only require forty minutes
to pass Ibis nine miles. Add to this the
speed OF this very powerful steamer, and
you will form some estimate of our rate of
progress down the I" Long Sault."
The whole river, covered with breakers
and white with foam, presented an appear
ance so wild as to be equaled only by a
storm at sea. In order to get a good view,
we took our position on the extreme point
of the forecastle, and although it was full
twenty feet above the water lines, we were
frequently vet by the waves bursting on the
bow of the steamer and flying many feet
over our heads. Of fcourse in such current it
requires nucn skill ana more muscle than
any where else to pilot these vessels. They
are rugged with double pilot wheels both
fore and aft, and never require less than four
and often eight men to hold the helm. The
most dangerous of these rapids is the ala
CHEN" nine miles above the city, the main
fall of which is literally an inclined plain
and of very steep grade at that. The own
ers of the Royal Mail line will not risk the
skill of even their best pilots at this point,
but rely on an old Indian by the name of
" Batiste, who lives at Caughnawaga-
old Indian town at the head of these
rapids. Ata signal from our boat he shot
out from the shore like an arrow, in his
bark canoe, and boarded US in tie current.
He is evidently old, but is yet as nimble as
young warrior, and has an eye like an eagle.
lie went instantly to the wheel and for the
time had entire control of the steamer
We were soon driving down the channel at
Railroad speed, running for about a mile
within few yards of the rocky shore of an
island. Suddenly we came in view of the
main Jump" as it is called, where nothing
but mad breakers and ugly black rocks are