, 1874-03-01

near the head Of the Arkanaas, and these strs
| particles have doubtless washed down fror
! above.
After much toll and perspiration we arrived a
the deepest aud grandest part OF the canon, and
to our di*may. found farther progress apparent
II blocae.3. Through q narrow channel, 10
more than 10 feet wide, tho river beat itself int
! foam and this was open. Tho jes~bridge ths
formed foothold for tho other party had gire1
way. We looked up appealingly to tho grant,
The man Of original sin ventu1ed ont on thi1
crust of ice that jutted from tho opposite wall
but down went ono log plump to the nip. and ht
fetreated. It was Of no use to encourage ths
preacher. for Lo got up on his dignity, and de.
elarcd that, il all the Apostles should
him 10 10 jump that raging canal, be wouldn't dc
! IT, Ihero Was no help but to retreat cross the
r1ver lower down, ciltnb around the open spot,
| ana then so on; md
| THIS WAS DONE
| Tho reward was amply sufficient for the labor
| incurred. When the point VAS turned, there
loomed up before us 4 perpendicular Bau al
solid rock, tho summit OF which sceu,ed to be
among the Clouds Some eagles hare thoi1 nests
here, but the distance WAS 10 great that they did
| not appear larger than swallows. Tho large
| trees at the top looked like bushes. By the aid
| OF glass Wo could discern party up On the
Eiddy height waving their handke1chieis toward
Us. We responded with a volley; and tllon tho
Te!ted it, placed tho nozzle to his lips, and
pointed the bottom at them. We al did the
same, to try the effect; and 274 dec1atcd that
It was superb. At this point the sun, which
the grim old rocks, and brought ont the
most delicate tints and colors with
shade, perspective, aud relief far more cunning
than the pencil Of Rembrandt ever achieved
Above, We could look through tho canon, aud
see where it opened into Webster's Park aud,
as it was past noon, wa clambered upon huge
boulder III the middle Of the river, and, with tho
blue waters kicking up the spray al around lis,
calmly
DEMOLISHED OUR SANDWICHES,
and then took the back track for home.
We bad passed nearly all tho most dangerous
and knotty points, and were even congratulatiug
ourselves upon our extraordinary run Of good
luck, when slight mlahap occurred. It became
necessary to CROSS the Elver for tho Gve-hun-
dredth time, on q narrow strip OF ice, beneath
which the water flowed with incredible velocity
We had crossed the bridge before, and we had
faith to believe that We could crohs it again,
Our preacher came to the critical point; ho
marked out the spot where he had
placed his foot before; he steadied himself
moment, and then ho put his enormous weight
upon the ice. De1usive hopel There was
sharp crack sInothered groan, plunge % II 4
thousand porpoises had submerged themselves
was in the water
UP TO Ills NECK,
striking out wildly with both aippers and gasp
ing for breath. SO strong WAS the current tllat
We feared ho would be swept from his feet and
dashed to pieced on tho rocks below; but the
preacher made one mighty effort, and graspod
friendly point OF ice; then he gave one great
heave, such Us Samson fetched when he jerked
the gatea Of GAIA, aud pulled himself out, weigh
ing b hundred pounds moro thau when ho went
in- As Tor the rest Of us, We felt our in
sgniacanco and said nothing; but tho
inference Is plain, that, il ever
received a silent anathsma 1t did just It that
partic ulsr hmo from tho lips OF Bro. Merritt.
Ho shook himself; he held up ono leg, and then
tho other, 10 let tho water gurgle out OF his
boots; and then 1emarhng, SWELL, boys, I
guess it's time to go home!" struck out at 2:40:
gait for the mouth Of tbs canon. It Was mar
row squeak, no mstake,-so narrow TINT, when
the ice became hard and smooth, TEE TAmpsE
correspondent
TOOK THE LEAD,
and maintained it all tho way back. It WAS, |
plainly to be that one preacher would do for
untried places, but was not to bo depended upon
where the ice Was two feet thick and no danger
ahead. /
= Tho trip through the canon is grand ono in /
many respects; but a man never desires to makct |
It more than once. The Impressions received |
Niu last lifetime, and sccond jaunt is apt to |
bring only sonse Of physical wearinesa and dis !
comfort. I know Of one man at least who will |
not make the trip again very soon, and be was
not immersed very badly either. q.