The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1892-12-21

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PART TWO.
Often the rocks form solid wall on
either side for miles with here and there
= solitary pine tree epringing out from
the crevices with apparently no nourish-
ment for its roots. The sides of the
mountains are rugged and percipitous,
relieved here and there by tumbling
water fall or q dancing cascade Oft
times we look back and the mountains
have seemingly hedged in the path by
which we have come. Soon we hear
the rapids where the river has narrowed
for two hundred feet. Here the water,
dashing and rushing over and between
the cruel looking rocks, forms seething
whirlpool through which it seems sui
cidal to think of passing. But with our
careful captain at the helm we glide
safely through the narrow channel, five
miles in length, and reach the cascades,
where there is a fall in the river of forty
feet and the water is foamiug and splash
ing in a mad tumble over the rocks.
The Dalles City stops here, as no boat
could stem this rushing current, and the
passengers and freight are carried
around the shore on a queer little rail
way, the distance of one mile, where the
steamer Regulator is putting at the
wharf eager to be gone Immense locks
are now being constructed at this point.
When completed they will be of great
benefit as the inland products of Oregon,
Idaho and Washington can then be
readily carried to every seaport under
the sun.
Such an interesting legend of the
cannot refrain from mentioning it.
Long ago in the remote ages, there WAS
a natural bridge across the river. 1t
was built for the red man by the Great
Spirit and was very beautiful. It was
like an arch on which grew trees and
lovely flowers. Under it the river
flowed calm and serene. The two giants,
Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood, many miles
apart, sat ever scowling at each other.
At last they had terrible quarrel which
resulted in battle lasting many days.
1t thundered and lightened; immense
rocks and boulders were thrown at each
other and the air was filed with smoke.
When at last the laundering ceased and
the smoke cleared away, the red men
returned but the beautiful bridge was
gone and in its place the river was filled
for many miles with the huge ocks over
which the water was tumbling, tossing
and surglng in mad fury. And SO it has
haa k,,I
Gus. Scientists agree that there must
have been at one time a volcanic dis
turbance but it is to the Indians we trace
this pretty legend.
We are again favored with a seat in
the pilot house of the Regulator, and
the voyage is resumed with an interest
equal to that of the trip below the cas-
cades. Soon we are enjoying an unin-
terupted view of Mt. Hood 1t rises
white and glittering from broad plain.
In, the foreground is the river and the
stately pine trees; on either side the
everlasting hills" gorgeous in their
dress of crimson and gold. We are in
sight of the icy peak for many miles, so
white and perfect against the blue sky.
Just at sunset, stopping to take on some
freight. we discover an Indian camp
near the shore. In the dying light the
faces ofsthe Indians look dark. and saw
age. Thev are crouching in Indian
fashion on the grass under the willow
trees, lazily awaiting the arrival of the
steamer. We are naturally anxious to
investigate the camp and ask them if
they have any curios for sale, But evil
IDENTIFY they are not posted as to the
wsnts of the average tourist and gaze at
rs in blank establishment. A
The moon appears over the hills, a. .
rein of silver, but very soon round and
full. almost dazzling in. its brilliancy.
The river was enchanting in the sun
light but in the soft, mellow, dreamy
MOONLIGHT there was an added charm