The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1879-11-05
A L0G.FLUME IN THE SIERRA
NETADAS.

At the summit that cascade in bondage, a
fiume, begins. Its track is a trough in heavy
planks, converging in an angle which is
bounded by the two sides of prism. Down
this canal whose sides are worn very smooth
by the gentle but persistent friction of the
water, and by the many rnbs and knocks Of
its freightage, the wood, the streams flow
sleekly and swiftly, with a motion not dissinI-
liar to The gliding of snake AS the fiume
winds the current weaves, this side and that
as If seeking escape, like the Gagged power
that it is Unremitting as the endless chain
in machinery, untiring as the natural brooks
by which it is fed, its capacity for burden is
almost unlimited and the statistics tell us
that this one little thread of water transports
million feet of mining timber or seven hun
dred cords of wood At places along its route
there are stations OF relay. or re-enforce-
ments rather, where feeders pour in and COM
pensate for the waste incurred by leakage or
overflow 1t follows no regular grade, but
accommodates itself to the side of the noun
tain, however steep, and is swift accordingly.
What is its rate of speed do not know, bat
this have noticed that it is SO rapid that a
horse cannot drink from it. for Il he turns
his head up the Hill the torrent foods his nos
trils, and facing down stream then, the water
falls away from bis mouth, as 1t did from the
lips of the doomed Tantalus. -
yenturesome people have sailed down 1t in
boats, but such voyagers have been too much
. IHNa f.t..5 s.H
occupied with the safe navigation of their
cookie crafts to keep any accurate log of the
journey There is great deal of sport and
not a little danger about this method Of go-
nglto sea, and SO 1t is a favorte pastime with
uoon. Indeed, its reputation as manly
amusement has become more than local, and
travellers from abroad feel that their tour has
been for nought if they have not consummat-
ed their adventures by ride down The fiume
Looking across the valley aud seeing the sill
yer tilament of water hanging down the
mountain side they feel their bosoms thrill
with the desire and ambition of Sam Patch,
and would rather forego their swim in Salt
Lake or their shot at buffalo than to miss
this latest episode of American travel.
Persons practiced in the art, those who hold
cool heads and the episode of accomplished
skaters, will step on the floating timbers as
they scud by ride till their heads swim, and
then disembark as best they may. Or, more
timorous, the pleasure seeker seats himself
upon the narrow and uncertain deck of a rail
road tie, clings to the same with tenacious
hands aud I'D IIunches himself to his
fate. AS his speed Increases, tne sptdy nrcs
and his boat waves and threatens to capsize,
he thrusts his arms into the air, and, with
frantic gesticulation, endeavors to preserve
his balance. A little farther on he ships sea
into his boots and iustinctively lifts them to-
ward the sky Now he presents an example
of that object so repugnant to natural laws,
a very broad body on very narrow base, and
in consequence he is speedily brought to
wreck and discontinue.
Better than these expedients it is to make a
boat by mailing two short planks together in a
shape like that of the fume, but smaller, SO
that it will float therein. Tack on Stat as a
brace for your feet, lay short board across
as a seat, establish yourself thereon, and you
have navicuar toboggan which will bear
you safely to the end of the groove 10 which
it runs Take in hand lath as a balancing
wand, unmoor yourself and Co., Now you are
started you must continue, at least until you
reach some stretch of level ground on which
the current Stacks its pace. Beware lest you
lose your head and topple over to this side or
that you will be sadly bruised and perhaps
killed If you do. Beware lest you become
frightened aud foolish and grasp at the sides
of the iiumes, they are Of splintery and UNI
planed boards, and win tear your hands to
p eces. Scyla and Charybids are very close
to yon as you ride down the narrow strait,
and, more over, they are as continuous as the
Journey is long. You will undoubtedly re-
gret with sickness of the heart, and perhaps
sickness of the stomach, that you ever en-
barked on a cascade ten miles in length, but
bear up Though it be distress to you yet 1t
is good amusement for the men Of Lake Ta-
hoe, who, walking patrol along the fiume, see
you fit by, swift as the Flying Dutcbman,
pale as the phantom of a man dead with sea
sickness. - Good Company,
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