The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-10-27
LIFE ON A RAFT.
Two Brothers Nearly Dashed Over
a Cataract.


a Cataract.
1t is now some years since, that &C
companied by my brother, and under
the guidance of an experienced hunter
] started for three months shooting ir
the Canadian wilds. Our plan was tt
travel by canoe to the lower end O
Lake Huron, and then plunging into
the primeval forest, to make circuit
that would bring us out somewhere on
the St. Lawrence. Never was pleas
anter excursion. Those aged woods
SO gray and grim in win
ter, seemed to have grown
young again beneath the affiuence o.
leaves while every sunlit glade was filled
with flowers, and poisoning vines o.
every hue hung as garlands from the
branches, as if the woods were decket
for some high festival. But more pleas
ant still to the sportsman heart was
the abundant game-the timid deer,
which fled at our approach; the great
grisly bear, ready to bid us defiance,
and the panther and wolf, lurking
within the coverts; not to speak of the
cartridges and bustards, and the brill
liant small birds, flashing like errand
blossoms among the trees. Mean.
while, despite our pleasure, our time
grew short, and it became necessary to
bend our steps howeward.
We had not travelled far in this new
direction when we came to the banks OF
a considerable river flowing across our
route. We had no boat to take us over
it, and Jerome. the guide, searched dill
igently beneath the overhanging alder
and hemlock boughs, in case some
hunter or backwoods traveller
might have hidden his canoe there.
But none was to be discovered, and we
were ruefully beginning to follow our
guides advice, and travel round by the
rivers source-which would involve
some ten or twelve days. extra journey
when one of those huge RATS in which
backwoods timber for expectation is
conveyed down country, came in sight.
TWAS floating slowly along on the al
most imperceptible current, its single
large sail giving just sufficient way to
the floating island to allow the enormous
tiller to guideit Alright; while the smoke
from the half-score shanties scattered
its surface, rising against the deep green
forest, the ever-changing groups of
figures, and the lines of washed clothes
futtering in the breeze, added to its
picturesque aspect.
AS the raft drew near, we perceived
that canoe was towed astern, and,
hailing the slumberers, we requested its
use to cross the river, which they readi-
ly accorded. But while the little bark
was being padded to land new idea
struck us--we would ask them to take
US as passengers. Rafting was mode
of travel entirely new to US, and the
thought of that smooth summer sail was
great temptation to travellers weary
with Flooding through the woods. The
needful negotiation was soon concluded,
and in half an hour we found ourselves
not only on board the raft, but the
happy possessor of shanty some six
feet square. Never do remember any
thing more delightful than to sit within
Its shadow, and, as our raft glided
noiselessly along the widening river, to
watch the ever-yarying scenery through
which we passed-the dark pine-for-
ests, alternating with bright green
oak and birch and sycamore woods;
the swelling hills showing their
picturesque outlines against the clear
blue sky; and the occasional tributary
streams, some dashing down their
waters in silvery cascades, others bear
Inc on their placid bosoms some small
raft, with its tiny shanty and little fam
lily group, to be linked on to the float
ing island.
We found, also, endless interest in
watching the doings of our migratory
village. The tall, brawny lumberers in
dolently lounging about their easy
duties of trimming the sail, taking their
turn in steering and drawing the troll
ing lines, which rarely failed of fish;
while their wives, grave ruggedwomen,
clad in dark petticoats, and snow-white
ssun-bonnets, were perpetually busy,
knitting, cooking, washing, or chasing
their rebellious children about the raft,
or else in feeding the cocks and hens
that stalked among the logs, and, with
wrathful turkey-cock, completed our
list of passengers. And when night
fell, and the frying of fish and eating of
supper were passed, and jest and
laughter had given place to silence and
sleep, it was beautiful to hear the voices
OF those quiet women swell over the
starlit river in the long-drawn cadences
OF some old hymn
For two days we pursued our tranquil
voyage through the same sylvan scenery.
But gradually our pace in
creased, as the current gained
IN strength; and after a time the
river began to break into occasional
rapids, over whose rugged lodges we
thumped and bumped, and down whose
surging slopes we slid, thanks to the
lumberers' skill, emerging from their
dangers unharmed; for in those days
there did not exist on even the most
irequented spots any contrivance to
lessen the hazards of such descents.
1t was the fourth evening of our river
voyage. Supper was past, and the sup
per-hymn sung, and nv brother and