The Shasta courier., 1868-05-30

ueeu Ihat Tue iIttle girl began crying throu oh
terror. However, | persuaded her to lie
down IN the boat, and her mother soon sootb-
ed her fears, although she still shiyered
every time the fearful sound reached her
ears.
My great fear was that the Indians would
flre at us, which would be pretty certain to
result fatally, as we were within easy gun
shot distance. But they evidently consider
ed this unnecessary, as it looked as though
we must inevitably fall into their hands.
Despite the utmost exertions of Green the
savages gained steadily upon US, a fact which
was as apparent to them as to US, and which
their repeated yells were intended to signal
ize.
When we embarked in our canoe don't
think either of US thought of the rapids be-
low. We started in such haste that we had
little time to think of anything except as to
how we could get away as speedily as pos
sIble. BIT when the roar began to rise in
our ears, my friend looked inquiringly at
me. | nodded my head.
" The best thing that could be for u.s."
offered to take the paddle several times,
but he was not willing. The changing of
places would involve moment or two delay,
and there was no time for that. However,
as we approached the rapids, | could see
that he was a little uneasy, and he made no
objection to my taking the paddle in hand.
Our hopes now centered upon the inabil-
ity of our enemies to guide their craft
through these rapids. There was no cues.
tion but that the Indians could manage
their canoe with the skill equal if not super.
Tor to that with which we controlled ours
put IN going through this dangerous place
/ Ii H. l.
most skillful of their number, as many of
them were hidden
Before | attempted to shoot these rapids,
| had spent several hours in surveying them
from the shore, IA proceeding which, am
well satisfied, proved my salvation in the
exploit afterward performcd
| steered straight for the rapids. As we
neared them. the roar became deafenny. the
mist filled the air, and the sight Of the
punging, lashlng waters was SO appalling
that Mrs. Green covered her face to shut out
| the dreadful sight, and the father was COM
PEELED to grasp his shrieking little girl, who
was fairly wild at the sight
The canoe danced and spun around like
an egg-shell, and the binding mist so cover
ed US, and the foaming waters so surrounded
us, that more than once | feared it was all
over with us; but guided the canoe with
all the GOODNESS | could summon, and thanks
to Providence, we shortly reached the COM
paratlvely calmer water below.
" Dare they follow us?' inquired Green.
Yes it's too late to retreat.D
The Indian canoe was at this time close
on to the rapids and anxiously watching
their movements. | saw the occupants stop
using their paddles, while one of their num-
Der took his position in the stern.
That looks as though he understood it,
| remarked, as | ceased padding, and we all
gazed back at them.
So it proved. The savage soon demon
strated that he had been through this chan
mel before. He followed precisely the course
| had taken. and which was the only one
that offered the least chance of safety
" There is only one who can bring them
through l added, :" and he won't be there
long.
held my rifle until sure of my aim and
then fired. The Indian who held the guid
ing oar uttered shrek that sounded far
above the roar of the rapids, and then spring
ing several feet into the air, disappeared in
the foaming abyss of waters.
The canoe, LETT without a controlling power
was seen to spin around as if in the mael
strom, and then striking a projecting rock,
was shattered to fragments, the Indians
struggling frantically for life.
| loaded my gun as quickly as possible,
and Green and | managed to send a bullet
through couple of the shaven crowns,
which were tossed hither and thither like
corks. The others needed no such treat
ment They were so manged by the furi
Gus waters that when they foated out of
their grasp not a particle of life remained
We made our way down the creek to the
nearest neighbor's, where we remained sew
eral days, when we returned to our home
and found it had not been disturbed in the
least during our absence