Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-05-14

conventionalities A lively greeting,
smart exchange of repartee between the
camp and some Of the boats crew, and
we have swept by them, into reach WIN
apparently no outlet to it; but our plot
knows bis "biz." Hard over with the
wheel, and short turn in the river
brings us in full sight of Marine Mills.
"Steady as she goes"
Our stay here is short, though we
would much like to explore those fine GOV
cred bluffs. We can just take glance
at Messrs. Ballard, Draper d. Parker's
large saw mill close by the landing, and
CLEAN few hurried statistics as to the
amount Of amber cut in day, &C. and
the cry of "al aboard" cuts off our
further pursuit of knowlede.
Our next stopping place is Osceola.-
The sun is low down in the west, as
the Captain calls us on deck to look at
one Of the prettiest views on the whole
river Far ahead, n liberty pole and
few houses on The very top of lofty
bluff, mark the site of OsceoIa. Between
us and the village is Eagle Bluff abrupt,
craggy, fringed with dark pines-a fit
locality for the residence of the Monarch
of birds, from whom it derives its name.
Close beside lis is Sweserg's Landing, a
small white house, built on rock julting
out into the river, on one side n road
winding down to wood yard, on the
other, deep looking bay, reaching up
some fifteen or twenty var DIS inland, at
the extreme end of which, a small stream
let pours silver thread Of foam into the
still waters Of the bay--a tribute for the
St. Croix to beau away to the Father Of
waters.
And now, we have rounded the point
of Eagle Bluff, and Osceola Mil with its
huge water wheel, "a feet in diameter, is
before us While the boat is = woodng
up" lei us take run up the bill, and have
look at The county seat Of Polk County.
If YOU ever should travel this way, read
en- stop cay or two here. The Widow
Hayes. keeps as good tavern, as "any
other man." the scenery is perfect, the
trout fishing unequalled, and Dave is just
the boy to show you where, and how, to
entice the speckleJ beauties. If you are
an artist bring along your sketch book,
and a drawing of the Grlst MIL, and
waterfall, will repay you for the trouble
and expense of your trip.
Good by to Osceola. Once more we
"go aheadw FRANCoNIA, or in the
language of the river men, Plug town is
cur last stepping place till we get to Tay-
Iors Falls, the head Of steamboat naviga-
ton on the St. Croix. Rocky Island,
stands ont in the middle Of the river just
above here with a narrow channel sa-
tween it, and the precipitous banks on
either side. Steering safely through, wo
pass several reaches Of exquist pictu-
sequences and beauty, and are shown
small stone building on a high bill aud
told, That's Taylor's Falls Jail"
But how's this? How are we going
to get along now. + ght ahead tie
rivrr narrows in to apparently about 0
feet in width. its rocky walls, yes walls.
not banks, running up perpendicular from
tue waters edge to the height Of 100 to
$50 feet, while like solid wall of rock
seems to shut US in right in front of the
boat. Time Wi! show. ~Wiin slackened
sreed, rs she feels the strength of the
current, here compi essed into the width
of about so feet, our good ship pants and
STRUGGLES bravely ahead, and now as
she nears The rocky barriers, and as we
bass the Red Ware house Of the St. Cro!x
Falls Landing, you will see that the river
taIns abruptly 10 he left. Narrower and
narrower, grows the channel, fiercer and
stronger the current while the boiling
foaming waters, aud stern frowning rocks
seem to strive to keep our gallant little
ship from her hard fought-for resting
place, while she. as if endowed with life,
pants and trembles, as with yell of de-
fiance from her whistle she swings sharp
round the point into the full force of the
current.
Surely we are never going to plunge
through that boiling cau!lrou of foam.
What says our captainl He is picking
his teeth with pen kuife aud turns to
point out to us an isolated point Of rock
called the Devils chimney" while the
pilots body is bent little forward over
the wheel, his eyes in'enty fixed on the
Might Hawk" ready to meet the least