Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-07-23

damped, and, while they burned: for
revenge, and itched to test the keenness
OF their knives on our Threats, they were
willing their friends should pull the
chestnuts out of the fire for them.
"The dingy, with sail almost sub
merged, was flying through the water at
a rapid pace, but the feet boat astern,
urged on by the united strength Of ff-
teen men, gained perceptibly upon our
sail boat.
II was compelled to watch the boat,
the channel, and the strong squalls Of
wind, and, with tiller in one hand and
sheet in the other, my mind was fully
occupied. A mistake, an accident, no
matter how insignificant, and our lives
would pay the forfeit Showers of spray,
with an occasional miniature sea, would
fly over the boat as we dashed through
the whirling, eddying foam, and Harry
would have to lay aside his double-bar-
rel at intervals to bail out the flying
craft. ','%''' '1
can occasional volley from the land
party would whistle and zip about our
ears, and, before return shot could be
given them, the cowardly skunks would
retreat under cover Of the bank lined
with grass, to the intense disgust of the
MILDLY. I had been hit in the arm, not
seriously, but the pain was excessive,
and my temper was by no means i'm
proved by the fact The sails of the
dingy were perforated with holes, and an
ugly splinter was apparent in the slender
mast, but there was no time or oppor-
tunity to repair damages.
s'The channel now took an abrupt
turn to the right, and T knew we were
but short distance from the Rio
Grande. The creek was white with
foam, and the riffs of spray were dash
ing high above the sunken rocks.
"sLook out ! muttered Harry, sthe
boat astern is within range, and they
have leveled their cursed escopetts.'
"The report of the firearms were lost
in a rattling peal of thunder, preceded
by vivid fash Of lightning A squall
OF wind and rain swept over us, compel
ling me to let fly the sheet, and in an
instant the canvas, torn and tattered,
was streaming out, to leeward, the sails
useless and ruined-for our use, at least.
"We were now in species of rapids,
where the torrent boiled along at furi-
GUS speed. There was no occasion for
canvas to accelerate our pace, and the
waters, lashed to fury, roared and min
gled with the crash Of thunder. and the
sharp kissing Of the descending rain.
"The smooth sides of granite rocks
were on either side, half concealed by
flying foam and binding spray, and the
face OF my companion turned shade
paler in the devilish glare Of the light
ming as he noted the peril we were in.
But we had escaped the death when
surely waited us astern. A quick glance
over my shoulder assured me Of that
fact. The Mexicans, appalled, by the
wild appearance OF the channel, had
ceased their efforts, and were lying on
their oars, virtually giving up the race,
without venturing to follow us into what
certainly looked like sure destruction
"We were both compelled 70 crouch
in the bottom of the boat, which tossed
and tumbled violently on the surgine
swells with the buoyancy, Of q cork.
The rebounding foam blinded my eyes
as the dingy rose on the crest of roller
and, whirling half round, coming within
an ace Of broaching-to,: we glided
forth from the marrow creek in safety
riding, half filed with water, on the
broader bosom of the Rio Grande.
-, The spars Of the Sombrero doomed
up through the murky atmosphere
swaying to and fro as the squalls sweep
through the ttaut rigging and ]. ca,
assure you she never looked lovelier; t.
my eyes than when we padded along
side and gazed at the protruding muz
zles Of her nine inch guns. .<s+s
"Our enemies had long since edisap
tpeared. i never beheld them again
and somehow after that it never ap
peared half SO monotonous on the decl
Of the old craft, and it Is: needless {,
state that I was efectua1ly cured Of al
desire to again indulge in q days spor
on the Rio Grande.s @zsss .s.F 81
+" My injured arm healed rapidly leay
ing slight scar as q memento Of th,
days sport. . ss..:.s