The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-06-26
A Perilous Voyage.
BY CHARLES L. HURD.

streams which float the huge rafter of
of timber down to the various ports and
mills along their course are often made
serviceable for other purposes. Some
times the lumber-man or shingle-maker
takes his family with him to the scene
of his Winter labors and in the Spring,
when the seasons work is ended, places
them-women and children, sometimes
round dozer on a raft of logs or
shingles and, keeping close to the
shore, floats down, ten, twenty or thirty
miles to his home.
James Allen was well-to-do farmer
of Woodstock, on the st. John river,
and besides the income derived from his
land and dairy, he owned, in connection
with his son, tract of wild timber
some dozen miles up the river. Begin
ming to turn his advantages to account
in small way, the two had erected
small single mill near the shore and
kept half dozen men at work during
the Winter. The result the first year
was so satisfactory that it was resolved
TO increase the facilities of the manufac-
ture, and, that it might be done under
standingly, they determined to visit the
mill for personal examination.
They were to have one of the farm
hands drive them up as far as they
could get with team, and from that
point it was hardly more than mile to
the mill.
This was the plan agreed upon, and
the time set was the following Satur-
day. AS soon as it became known in
the house, the two youngest boys, Harry
and Jack, were wild with excitement.
Mayn't we go too !" they shouted in
concert. please let us go. We never
saw single mill. D."
"a shingle mill isn't much to see.'
answered their father Z" And besides,
you'll be getting into all sorts of dan
ger"
"Oh no, we won't. Wen be so
careful if you'll let us go. 1t would be
such nice ride.
"Why don't YOU let them go, father p
said Mrs. Allen. "They won't take up
much room, and they will enjoy it so
much"
"Well, well,,' said the farmer, good
naturally, let them go let them CO.
/ shall have to take the double wagon if
they go, though and that's large
enough for the whole family
"Why not take the whole family,
then p asked Mrs. Allen, half in earn
est 81 have hardly been out of doors
the whole Winter and Spring, and |
should enjoy the ride as well as the
boys"
Farmer Allen laughed.
"Any more of you want to gol What
would you do with the baby 2"
Take her, of course. You don't sup
pose weather like this would hurt her
She needs air as much as anybody"
care you really in earnest, motherl p
Certainly | don't see why you
can't make pleasure jaunt out of it as
we'll as business one. | haven't been
so far away from home for five years,
and l guess the house could get along
without me for half day Becky can
get dinner for the men at noon, and we
should get home by two or three o'cl ock
at the latest"
So the matter was settled.
At seven o'clock the next Saturday
morning the party set out, all in the
highest possible spirits Innumerable
charges We're left to Becky as to what
to do about dinner, and how to dispose
of other duties connected with the
household if they should not return at
the time expected. A huge basket of
lunch was placed under the seat, much
to the satisfaction of Harry and Jack,
who had been too much excited in re-
gard to the journey to care much for
breakfast.
The mill stood close down to the
waters edge, and in front and all around
it were heaps of blocks, refuse timber,
logs and shavings. 1t was not very
romantic looking place, but the children
were delighted with it.
The long ride had given them all
good appetite. A rough table vas
made out of some boards laid across
couple of stumps, and the contents of
the big basket was soon placed upon it.
Lunch finished, the farmer and son be-
gan their investigations, while Mrs