The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1879-12-18
THE LOG FLUME.
An Exciting Place for Amusement in
the Sierra Nevada-- Dangerous Rides.


the Sierra Nevada Dangerous Rides.
, @es's Good Company.
At the summit of that cascade in
bondage the fume begins. Its track is
a trough Of heavy planks, convergiag
in an angle like that which is bounded
by the two sides of prism. Down this
canal, whose sides are worn very smooth
by the gentle yet persistent friction of
the water, and the many rubs and
knocks of the freightage, the wood, the
stream flows sleekly and swiftly, with
motion not dissimilar to the gliding of
snake. AS the fume winds the cur
rent weaves, this side and that, as if
seeking to 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, it's
capacity for burden is unlimited, and
statistics show that this little thread of
water transports daily from the noun
tain top to the valley 100000 feet of
mining timber, or 700 cords of wood.
AT places along its route there are sta
tons Of relay, or reinforcement, rather,
where feeders pour in and compensate
for the waste incurred by leakage and
overflow. 1t follows no regular grade,
but accommodates itself to the side of
the mountain, however steep, and is
swift accordingly. What is its rate of
speed I do not know; but this have
noticed, that it is so rapid that horse
cannot drink from it. for if he turns his
head up the hill the torrent fills his
nostrils, and facing down stream the
water falls away from his mouth, as t
did from the lips of the doom &C
Tantalus.
Venturesome people have saileu
down it in boats, but such voyage has
been too much occupied with the safe
navigation of their cookie crafts to keep
any accurate log of their journey. There
is great deal of sport and not a little
danger about this method of going to
sea, and so it is favorite pastime with
the men OF Lake Tahoe on Sunday
afternoon. Indeed, it's reputation as a
manly amusement has become more
than local, and travellers from abroad
feel that their tour has been for naught
if they have not cOnsumated their
advantages by ride down the hume.
Looking across the valley and seeing
the silver flament of water hanging
down the mountains they feel their
bosoms thrill with the desire and ambi-
ton of Sam Patch, and would rather
forego their swim in Salt Lake, or their
shot at buffalo than to miss the latest
episode of American travel.
Persons practiced in the art, those
who hold cool heads and the equipoise
of accomplished skaters, will step on
the floating timbers as they scud by,
ride till their heads swim, and then dis
embark as best they may. Or, more
timorous, the pleasure-seeker seats him
self upon the narrow and uncertain
deck of railroad tie, clings to the same
with tenacious hands and feet, and
launches himself to his fate. AS his
speed increases the spray flies, and his
boat wavers and threatens to capsize;
he thrusts his arms into the air; and
with frantic gesticulation, endeavors to
preserve his balance. A little further on
he ships a sea into his boots and in
stinctively lifts them toward the sky.
Now he presents an example of that
object 81 repugnant to natural laws, a
very broad body on very rarrow base,
and in consequence he is speedily
brought to wreck and discontinue.
Better than these expedients it is to
make boat by mailing two short planks
aume, but smaller, so that it will float
therein. Tack on slat as brace fer
your feet, lay short board as seat,
establish yourself thereon, and you have
navicular tobaggan which will bear
safely to the end of the groove in which
it runs. Take in hand q lath as bal.
ancing wand, unmoor yourself and go.
Now you are started you must contin.
ne, 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 and foolish, and
grasp at the sides of the fume; they
are Of splintry and unplaned boards
and will tear your hands to pieces. Sc
villa and Charybdis are very close t.
you as you ride down the narrow strait
and, moreover, they are as continuous
as the journey is long. You will un
doubleday regret, with sickness of heart
and perhaps sickness of the stomach
that you ever embarked on q cascad.
ten miles in length, but bear up
Though it may be distress to you, ye
it is good amusement for the men a.
Lake Tahoe, who, walking patrol along
the Aume, see you fit by, swift as tn
Flying Dutchman, pale as the phantom
of a man dead with seasickness.
The Cause Of Whooping Cough.
From the New York Tribune.
Rafore the Academy of Sciences. re