The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-03-27

couth heavy-gaited men hastily sheltered
their teams, while their sad-eyed wives
were thoroughly soaked while they ar
ranged the water-barrel or hurried the
distracted decides" under frizzly hens.
That night we spread our blankets upon
the saw-dust-covered floor of the saving
room of the mill.
From Norway to a point about three
miles below the lower dam at Monticello,
the voyage was accomplished with the aid
OF team and cart, although we abandoned
with many regrets even this small portion
OF the river, yet by this maneuver we
were sure of coming out whole at the
other end.
Below Monticello the river assumes
those characteristics which ever after re-
main in the memory as typical. Through
the long reaches of ripping, swiftly NOV
ing water, the sunlight shows dark red
upon the sands below. Frequently
dimpling swirl is the only indication of
the dangerous lurking-place OF some huge
fragment from the overhanging bluts.
Ever changing is the scenery. Low grass
covered banks meet the water, trees al
most touch overhead, whilst away in the
depths of the woods all light seems lost.
Again, steep bluffs shut out all but mid
day sun, and tiny streams OF crystal water
trickle down their face from hidden
springs. From Monticello to the Oakland
mill the trip was one long breadth OF
6sherman's paradise.
We reached our destination in steady
downpour of rain, musical and rhythmic,
upon the mills old roof. Once again We
slept over the rush OF water, but this time
all else was silent, Our resting-place was
the old grist-mill full of strange bins and
wooden chutes, of queer old swinging
steelyard scales, that catch the unwary
patron of the mill both coming with the
corn and going with the meal; of trap
doors that look down upon nothing, and of
black ADVISES yawning at every turn,
through which YOU hear the sound OF run
ming water Here and there, where least
expected, are square windows with an oc-
casional whole pane OF glass The remains
OF many grists litter up the floor and
wooden halfdoors swing uneasilv upon
their hinges. The steady drip, drip OF the
water. and the little pools upon the floor
betoken the age of the roof. Even the
rats, as they run squealing across the floor,
seem a necessary part OF the dilapldated
whole. It's a once-a-week mill. The mil
Ter farms FIVE days in the week and runs
the mill one day. Once again were the
upon arms. we slept or tried to sleep.
From this place to the mouth of the
river is two days quick run, made dan
gerous by the remains OF numerous Indian
tish-dams. These dams lie in the shape
OF an acute angle, the apex pointing down
the stream, with the sides of the base rest
ing upon each shore. They consist of
rocks and powders of sufficient size to re-
sist the current. These were at one time
evidently piled one upon the other, but
are now somewhat scattered, although the
lines retain much OF their original form.
Doubtless the Indians took advantage of
such natural deposits and drifts of rock as
existed, to carry out their designs. Not
withstanding the years which have passed
since they were built, with such skill were
they constructed that their design is to-
day plainly manifest At the apex of the
angle a space of q few feet is left, and
meeting the barrier OF the dam, the fish in
running up naturally felt their way to
this opening. Here, balanced upon the
rocks at the side, stood the Indian. with
poised spear; or the fish, entangled in
loose brnsN placed in the opening, were
removed at leisure.
To-day, however unbroken the line OF
foam across the stream, or however terri
flying the noise OF the falling water. down
INTO this pocket-like trap you must 60,
and once under Roadway there is no turn
ing back. The greatest chance of success
fully shooting the dam lies in striking
this opening in the triangle, and then,
provided that Just below no jagged rocks
await your first jump, you VIII shoot
safely 10 the far side. Sometimes upon
reaching the opening you find too late
that certain destruction awaits you, and
there is the inevitable plunge into the
cold waters of the Tippecanoe without
any OF the customary prehminaries OF
bath. From Monticello to the mouth of
the river YOU will have thlrty-feur
chances to try this exhilarating effect.
That it is exhilarating, know from expe-
rience.
We slipped past the mouth of Big creek,
camped one night at Barker's, and touched
at Springboro. which is a grocery store,
where trade consists principally of matches
and plug tobacco On the afternoon of
the last day we shot out into the Wabash,
down past Battle Ground and the mouth
of the Wild Cat, the Ponce Passu" OF
early history, and the lights of Lafayette
danced upon the river when we landed at
the wharf of Joker Hill.
Screen are thy wsters-green as bottle glass,
Behold EN- stretched thar!
The muskallonge aud We striped bass
Are chiefly ketched thar.
Thar the Red InjuuS had their delights
Fished, fit and bed;
Now the Inhabitants mostly are white,
With nary red"