Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-07-21

o CLOCK IN Inc morning, anu uISt pai thhlnS
of good break fast, went up into the saloon
:: TO look around There was quite large
company. The boat was like those of our
Norfolk lines, though think the compnri-
sou would be rather in favor of the Lake or
the Leary. 1t had begun to rain and though
our course was still through the Thousand
Islands little could be discerned at a distance
through the quickly falling drops.
Most Of the passengers came in from the
forward deck, but lively party oflades and
gentlemen with fine voices entrenehed them
selves under the awning and behind barri-
cade of chairs. and finally behind and under
umbrellas. aud began TO sing. From negro
melodies they drilted into hymns, aud from
hymns into sentimental and patriotic sougs.
aud Way Down Upon the Suanee River
! and "Iuanita" kept curious company with
Nearer, my God, to Thee" ''Te Deum
Laudamus," and "God Save the Queen"
for two or three hrurs while a gentleman
in the saloon seated hilnsel: ct the piano and
gave somo music more appropriate to thr
day than most Of that outside, and was as
sisted in his effort by several others.
Oar first landing was at Rrookville, where
there is ''prohibitionn The "wets," how.
ever, ARE perpetually dry there, as else
where, and have devised scheme to flank
their opponents. Out in tho river, just
within the American line, is an island, and
upon it one or more dispensers of the for
hidden fluids have established themselves,
and their customers are ferried over iD a
small steamer for refreshments, under the
stars and stripes. Doubtless local option in
Alexandria would re-establish the "Firsin-
III" solidly on her old route without city
aid, and advise her supporters in the City
Council to try it.
At Prescot!, we ccul lear the bells at
Ogdensburgh, n. V, summoning to pro-
per observance Of the day, az we afterwards
did at many Canadian villages, where the
prominent object Was the church, with its
cross surmounted spire, but we could not
stop, and soon we encountered the Galop
Rapids, where the water PUSHES swiftly be-
tween the islands for several miles.
For a long distance below these the st.
| Lawrence is narrow and crowded with is
lands, large and small, but the pilot kept
serenely on his way, turning his boat now
this way and now that, in the narrow and
tortnous channels, until we came to Dub.
| latt's; Rapids, near hIorrisbuig. These are
but slight ones, but at Dickinson's landing
We encountered "The Long Saut." q leap
indeed for our craft, amid roaring waves
| and wide spread foam, which lifted US up
and dragged us down alternately, the spray
once splashing the upper deck. This was
just as one party had had dinner and an
other was waiting TO go into the dining sa-
| loon, hut IN announcement Of The coming
''rhooL' scattered the crowd until the rapids
were passed, when they made up for
lost tine Ivy ~ heavier attacI; upon
the good things provided for them
Some distance below Carnival, the river
widened into lake, but coon followed. in
succession, the Cotcam Cedar and Split
Rock Rapids These all inspire fear in the
| timid as they are approached, but though
| the boat careens and sinks and lifts as she
passes through, more and far worse rolling
is often experienced in rounding Smiths
| Point or going about the Horse shoe. The
water Of the st. Lawrence has peculiar
| green, very like that which distinguishes
Niagara, aud the white foam upon i;s
| waves at The rapids is the more brilliant in
| consequence.
After srossng another broad Lake We passed
among floating lights. to Lachinc where we
took on an old Indian pilot, the only man allowed
| to carry b ats through the Lachiue Rapids.
hs father before him. He is squarrly huiit
| pomderous old man. and his skill il apparent
when the boat suddenly turns from u rock uTon
| which she seemed rushing to pass III 2
marrow channel between it and fellow and dart
| within - few feet by Il ;cdZa II rnck over which
! you can scn The waters pourn. Tura:ug around
and about, III way quite to puzzle me. we ii last
| went under the Victoria Tubular Bridge, two
| mc. long, and soon steamed into Il lock in the
| I.u:i.ine caua or course tho clnt-wait &. niiH-
| uie p,n2lc instantly spraug FROM the upper deck
| :,sh"ro. bat, being in no hurry myself, waited
until the boat lifted, aud then stood, at last
upon Canadian soil and under the British flag,
FlDElGs