Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-08-18

n" n ! III i u 7 II" TT " ri I" y
like a mailman, heaped rnaledictions
upon the Tagus, and at times sang wild
snatches Of song. To this day cannot
account for the supernatural strength
given me during those seventy-two
hours of agony. The bowling of wolves
and the hooting of owls during the
nights heightened the somber current
of my reflection. On the morning Of
the third day, just after daylight, I en-
tered the canyon of Casaras. I swal-
lowed a pint or two Of water and stood
upright in my rubber suit. l listened
for the tinkling of bell, or some sound
that would give q token of habitation.
Nothing broke the silence but the dis
tant fall of waters. As sank back into
the river, in despair, to my Joy /
thought I'saw o thin veil of smoke COM
ing over the edge of the high plateau
and falling on the water. My heart
beat rapidly as I padded on for five
minutes in the direction OF the smoke.
At last saw the blush haze rising from
behind q gigantic rock. With accel-
Grated steps left the river and
clambered along the rocky bank. Sew
eral times l slipped and fell, receiving
numerous bruises. ~s,o eltb'i s'it +.
81 was compelled to make many de-
tours to reach the plateau, but finally
reached it, almost dead from fatigue. 1
peered around the edge Of the large
rock that 1 had observed and saw the
fire which caused the smoke. A large
pot was suspended from tripod over
fire kindled with sticks and matted
grass. The pot contained what I now
for dogs, but which then judged from
the greasy odor to be hardly second to
the dish of the gods. Two men, in
active conversation, stood near the fire,
with their backs toward me, and one
of them stirred the savory mess while
he talked. They were dressed in the
garb of mountaineers, and were most
probably shepherds. Both were clothed
in faded garments, but all the colors OF
the rainbow were there, more or less
obscured by the dirt of years. My
hunger was keen, so / introduced myself
without the tedious ceremonials so high
ly appreciated in Spanish society. I
inflated my dress. and, standing forth
in full view, let my paddle fall to the
ground. Startled by the noise, the
men turned about and gazed at me in
superstitious terror. With shrieks of
fear they swiftly turned about and scam
pered off at the top of their speed.
Then 1 went over to the pot and raven
ously devoured its half-cooked con-
tents, scorching my throat and spill
ing half of the food. never saw
my impromptu hosts after, nor did
/ care to see them, in fact. After my
repast / disrobed of my armor, and,
stretching at full length on the sward,
was soon slumbering. When I awoke I
bid my rubber covering and walked for
few miles, when 1 came to farm
house and managed to buy another lot
of greasy bread and indigestible hard
tack. From this point to its mouth the
river was navigable and I never more
was troubled about food. On the eight
eenth day / arrived at my journeys end.
was met by the Governor OF Casaras,.
his suite and many ladies and gentlemen
who had anxiously been expecting me.
The whole party rode on gayly capari-
soned mules to the castle of the Govern
or, where / received royal welcome and
rested for fortnight. Thus ended my
navigation of the Taeus, the first and
only time that man had ever descended
that terrible river from its source to its
mouth. Perhaps after many days the.
story will be told in whispers among the
Spanish peasantry of how, once upon
time, while two mountaineers of Casaras
were cooking their morning meal, the
devil appeared to them in horrible
form, horns, hoof and tail, surrounded
by fire, and caused them to flee for their
lives"