The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-05-28
THE GAUNTLET OF FIRE,


Bend, on the banks of the Great Snake
River A wild, desolate spot it was, sur
rounded by dreary pine forests and yet
more dreary swamps, and with It's
double Gordon of tall stockade and a
long swivekgun surrounding its central
warehouse, more resembling military
post than a commercial depot.
Most lonely was our life inthat dis
tant tactSry, with the fierce blasts from
the great bay sweeping down upon US
in almost polar cold, and furious snow
storms during more than halt the year;
while our. brief summer was cheered by
no more pleasant visitants than the
rugged navigators OF the vessels which
brought our merchandise, and the grave
Indian hunters, who came to barter
their winters take of furs for our
powder, clotn, and brazen ornaments.
My range OIL society, however, was
somewhat greater; for, as assistant fac
tor, 1t was my duty during the summer
months to visit our different outdoor
stations; and not only smuggIers were
| the characters with which 1 thus made
acquaintance, but wild, and sometimes
periious, the adventures l encountered.
On one occasion l remember being
bound to Sandy's Bluff, beyond Loon
Lake, one of my most distant charges.
In those thick y-woOded regions the
rivers and creeks form the only high
way; and with the usual farewell cheer
given and returned, my Indian crew and
1, in our large nor'West canoe, started
on our expedition. A pleasant summer
VOYAGE is promised to be, leading a.ong
gentle rivers, 'bordered by young, green
| foliage, across bright, breezy lakes, and
tarough the windlngs Of narrow creeks
fringed with many-colored blossoms.
When night stole on US we drew our
| light boat to land, and, wrapped in our
blankets, slept soundly until daylight
called US TO resume our journey. %! -
Two ana halt days had been thus oc-
cupied, and the afternoon of the third
saw us entering The right fork. Kaskong-
snadi, stream noted even in tnat wild
country tor It's rugged gorges of arrowY
rapid. But, the ready philosophy of the
Indians was equal to every exigency as
it appeared; the light, graceful aotion
with which their ten easily-wielde ed
paddles sent our canoe skimming along
the stream, gradually changing as tae
adverse current quickened inIo
fierce, H. rapid movement, capable
of making head against the
wild, leaplng, foaming torrent
which surged down on us; or if the rush
OF the steep incline detied the power OF
paddles, the dauntless roWers leaped
out into the foaming food, and girdlng
themselves with ropes, took their canoe
In tow, pressing ON from rock to rock
along The shallow margin OF the river,
but still Waist-deep IN the roaring,
raging, tumulluous race Of waters, which
almost swept them from their feet. But,
with yells and whoops, as against hu-
man enemy, the brave fellows battled
on, until at last, breathless and we'll
nigh exhausted, they emerged from the
| watery ordeal with a shout OF triumph.
At length but one more rapid rolled
| between us and Loon Lake, and mur-
mur of pleasure broke from the Indians
lips as they saw the broad expanse oi
| water in the distance. But this race
was the worst ON the route, verltable
hill of surging waves, and the water too
deep for even Indian intrepidity.
The men, however, had done the task
before, and they doubted not doing the
work again. So, dashing their paddles
into the foaming food, they piled theil
blades, almost burying their slight YES.
sel in the white sea OF the breakers
Ten anxious, arduous minutes, and the
tonmost wave alone remained for US
and every hand took tirmer hold, every
paddle a longer sweep, for that final
mighty effort.
A. last the steep ascent was gained
and as the shallop sway ed upon It's cres
the Well-knoWn WhoOp OF victory re
lsounded through the Wilds. But Cry
of blank despair quickly followed, as thu
steersman's paddle, strained by th'
pressure, snapped of above the blade;
while the ungulded canoe, yielding tt
the rushing current, broacned to on th'
l. nd trn
her, sWayed completely round, and pass
ing the intervening point of land, sho
like an arrow into the lett fork Of thu
Electromagnetic, and began to leap dowl
the surging breakers and steep cas-
caQeS.
Suddenly a new and fearful horro
came over us as we swept into the will,
descent; scarce rood below US ther
flashed upon our eyes a great glare o
fire. while sharp, cracking noise brok
upon the silence; and at once we com
prehended the fearful truth that one o
those confagrations, which, lit by
spark from a hunters rife, an une2
tinguished Indian fire, or some othe
trifng cause, occasionally devastate
the American wilds, was raging in GU
front.
The canoe plunged madly on fearfu
sea, Ln0 Bcene W WHICH eue piVukhb us
Fire on either side, as the fierce elemen
' wrapped the lofty forest trees in sheet
of fame firing above; as the overhangln
branches joined together in burhin
, arch; nay, it seemed even lire below, a
the boiling waves which ragged aroun
, US caught the red reflection.
Never shall l forget what W
endured as, with wet blankets ou
! only shield, we swept along that iearlt
: avenue OF flames. Hopeless, hell
!, less, we sped on to apparently certai
: death, which each prepared to meet a
best he might. IL was an interval OF VI
, utlerable misery. closed my bleare
= and aching eyes. as l believed foreve
. with murmured prayer tor speed
. death. But when hope Was gone aud III
: had almost passed, an overruling Prov
h dence guided US to safety. Wlthln
lhour the narrow gorge widened lhto
lake-like reaon, among whose placl
a waters our canoe at length found res
y ana at last we reached our desLinatlo
- But neither time nor changes can ey'
, Danish from my mind the haunting men
', ury OF that fearful night when my l
- dlans and ran tnat gauntlet OF lire.