The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-03

quite to the magnitude of mountains.
The river widens at both these points. giving
the appearance of small seas, hemmed In by the
very richest scenery Still further up we reach
Lake Pepin, through which the river passes 1t
is thirty miles long, and perfectly piacid. hav-
ing no current Surely no one could sigh for
the Swiss lakes in the presence or Pepin. 1t Is
beautiful. beautiful Great fish, longer than
mans arm. leap mp from its bosom, turn somer-
saults in the air, disclose their notified Sides
long enough to excite admiration and hunger,
then plunge again into the CLASSY depths below
The element of history which adds such
charm to the Hudson voyage is strangely want
ing here. But the lack is somewhat supplied by
texts of legend and romance. There used to be
half breed Indian pilot on this river
who spread legends and traditions all
along IT'S upper course. The captain related
one as we came near to Maiden Rock Winona
was beautiful Indian girl. whose father desired
her marriage to a chief of middle years. But
her heart was set to we'd one of the younger
braves, and che dared to refuse her fathers
wishes. He tried to coerce her marriage, but
she he'd from his presence, and, finding herself
holly pursued, she climbed to the upper crags of
MaidenR ock and cast herself into the rushing
waters below. The sincerity OF her love and its
tragic period have forever christened that crag
as Lovers Leap"
There have been few threads in this fabric
of our Mississippi history not exactly golden.
AT Dubuque. Ia. we found q crowd Of people
searching the river for lost man. supposed to
be drowned. Just as we reached dock they
raised his body from the dripping tide. An hour
later, at another dock, one OF our
boatmen met with an accident which
must necessarily prove fatal At a point
near st. Paul, some men approached US in
skif to say that crazy man had broken loose,
and was swimming down the river. The citi-
zens desired aid from the boat TO recapture him.
We found him. at length, wading to his neck,
and pounding fariously He was very adroit in
evadinc capture. But skiff was lowered, and
the mate and several boatmen advanced upon
him. He fought vicieusly, but they succeeded in
throwing lasso over his neck, and pulling him
in. Bound hand and foot. they put him ashore.
Beside the numerous boats and RATS which
are going on the river, we have also the compa-
ny of railroads, of which there is one on either
shore. The abruptness of the shores causes
them to cling very close to the waterine and
their trains sweep past Us every few minutes,
with their dust and noise. only to revive our
gratitude that we are travelling by water.
We reached St Paul day too late, on &C.
count Of low stage of water. But we paid
our respects to 'Minnehahan and other
points of interest. We are now on Ahe down
trip to st. Louis and home. Have reached Red
Wing, Mimi. a beautiful city, with an ertesian
well, whose flow would very nearly run a water
wheel Nearly all these river towns have arte-
sian wells, and, whenever the boat has stopped
long enough, have patronized them. I take
my leave of your columns by expressing high APP
probation of the Diamond 10 line" and espe-
cially of the kindly officers of the MARY Nor
ton" a. w. l..