The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-04-25
DESCENDING sAuLT DE STE. MARIE.

Upon arriving at the Saut our party went
trouting in the rapids of the small streams
adjacent to the river, and though the wealth.
er was extremely nnfavorable there was
some fine sport. Plotted by the excellent
Indian guide, John Boucher the canoe of
the party was poled up the rapid side.
streams ON the Canadian side, and every
opportunity afforded to cast for trout till the
main river above tho Sault was reached,
when they padded out to the centre of the
broad river, at this spot n mile wide, pre-
parotory to making the grand descent of the
Sault in an open boat
An Indian was seated in the bow and
stern, and the two rodsters on the bottom in
the waist, under strict injunctions to pre-
serve the balance, even to the winking of
both eyes at the same time The canoe was
now allowed to float in tho smooth, swift
draw above the breaking rapid, and the
party were informed that there was now no
possibility of retreat, rs they could not il
they would stem the currents so all were
prepared for the descent, and in a moment
the frail craft was in the breakers, and the
red shale bottom seen through the clear
water seemed TO be retreating up the stream
at railroad speed, so swift was the current
carrying us downward. Amidst tho roar of
waters not word was spoken by the Indian
guides, but orders were given by signs from
the hand of Boucher in the DOW, and the
canoe was guided here and there, passing
fearful breakers on the right and left like a
Hash. Now they rested for moment, and
anon they paddle with their full strength to
keep clear of the huge rocks in the breakers,
till the passage had been made quite half
way down in safety. Here we were con.
fronted by long reef which runs across the
river, over which the water roars and
plunges and toward which we were being
borne with the speed Of an arrow. 1t seem.
ed impossible that our canoe could live in
such water, and we mentally prepared for
bath but an instant before reaching the
broken water, which rose ahead to n groa.
height, o sign was made by Boucher, and
the canoe was turned athwart the river, and
both Indians bent themselves to their pad
ucs us III their lives uepeHueu upon tDelr
efforts, and the canoe shot across, weather.
ing heavy breakers, some of which came on
board. la another instant the object of this
maneuvcr became manifest, as narrow
opening in the secthing rapid was seen just
ahead, and, though fearfully rough, was far
less SO than the leaping waves ON either
hand. The boat gided into this opening,
and, mounting the swelling water, went off
with bound, reminding one of the leap at
the foot of the hill, which all will appreciate
who recall their boyhood coasting days.
The boat sped on rs il sliding down hill on
water. The Indians ever on the alert for
Scylla on the right and Charybdis on the
left, placed us in the comparatively quiet
chop see at the foot, and the great Sault
Ste. Marie had been run, and tremendous
amount Of excitement and experience
crowded into the short space of less than
four minutes which it took to traverse the
something over mile of plunging rapids
american angler.