The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-04

one remarked. The magic nets on the
bottom were becoming tangled; snarl
OF yellow threads they seemed to
me. The trees ON the shore were going
round and round. The noise of dashing
waters increased momentarily and
We were being borne toward them
with force that was alarming.
Faster danced the alders along the
banks. They had locked arms. and it
confused one to watch their mad Waiting.
A short distance ahead We could see
the flying foam, where the river
tore against the rocks. Sooner than
thought we were flying down, down,
down. All around rs was the whirling
water, white as snow. The canoeman called
to each other as loud as their voices
would permit, but their words sounded
very faint and far away, so great was the
am OF the raging current in its wild, fierce
race. With what fearful velocity we were
hurled along! l experienced a sort of
sinking sensation similar to that felt
while making quick descent in an ele-
vator. The foamy water leaped so nigh it
came In over the sides of the canoe, COM
pieteiy drenching US. Several of the party
forgot what they had been told and
grabbed the sides of our craft in apparent
desperation, an act that was liable to over
turn us all. However. owing to the skill
OF our canoemen. We shot like an arrow
into the wide. deep pool below the rapids
ana emptled the cargo taken IN during our
downward flight. Every one drew q sigh
OF relief, and was heartily glad we had
escaped with nothing more serious than a
thorough soaking, which one must expect
In taking such thrilling ride. Despite
the dangers connected with canoeing no
person has yet been drowned in the rivers
OF this region. save Van SlyKe and Hib-
bard, two young men who lost their lives
Of ~.z-lxA f.-s
ing to cross Roft river in a diapidated
canoe-a very foolhardy thing to attempt,
from the fact that the breakers OF the
ocean were sweeping far up the stream.
While the white men pole the rivers
with almost as much ease as the Indians
they never venture out on the Pacifc's
tossing hills unless in company with these
more skillful hands. With four strong
siWashes and large canoe our party took
an ocean voyage from the mouth OF the
Queets to the Quiniault, distance of per-
maps twenty miles. We started from the
Hotel Dick" at 5 o'clock in the morning,
being assured that the salt chuck was
klosh. A crowd of whites and Indians
congregated on the beach to see the de-
parture. confess feeling somewhat
nervous as We drifted down toward the
laundering breakers. The siwashes con-
versed In low tones among themselves. l
did not comprehend the drift of their re-
marks. As we swept out into the surf
those on the shore cheered loudly. Sud-
denly breaker struck US, sending the
canoe skyward and making US catch our
breath. Then we dove down into deep,
blue gulf, and all sight of land disap-
peared; then high on a crested wave we
rose and responded to the shouts
on the shore The Indians we're
silent. At times they stopped padding
entirely in order to meet the incoming
breaker at the right moment, then again
they would work with all their might
when l could see no apparent reason for
such exertion. No doubt they saw a
cause, as their natures do not crave hard
physical exercise only in case of necessity.
When we were we'll out into the long,
rolling pillows our swarthy crew gave pro-
longed yells to those on the land who had
now assumed the appearance of black OBJ
lects moving about. The trip to Quiniault
lasted about three hours. l remember
that the canoe went into the mouth of the
Quiniault stern first and with the bow to
the breakers. Thus ended a memorable
ride and one that comparatively few white
people have ever enjoyed. However, l
care nothing about taking another
such voyage. While in the agency
made the acquaintance of Mr..
A,gger, the school teacher, at this
place. He related numerous incidents
concerning his life as tutor to the youth
ful siwash. He said that the pupils par
ents were not in favor of having tn EN- ed
ucated, telling the children that they were
only in jail, etc. Therefore those attend
ing the school are obliged to remain in q
board and clearinghouse connected with
the institution of learning, where they
Will not have their minds taken up with
the ideas of their fathers and mothers.
Evidently Mr.. Agger's position is not an
enviable one. Nevertheless he has &C
oOmplished great work among these
strange people. Strange. l. say, for they
are most assuredly the oldest lot Of
human beings imaginable. To enter one
of their smoke houses after dark is weird
sight. The hard-beaten ground floor, the
rows of dried salmon hanging above your
head, the freight. Pickering on
baby to Sleep the sue bright i,as' lam nes
shining golden glow over emaciated,
blear-eyed creatures who clutch with lean,
grimy fingers the red blankets enwrap-
ping them, the tangled names of black
hairahalf hiding dark, evil faces. the small
black eyes that peer at you from beneath
shaggy brows and the surrounding gloom
form picture peculiarly wild and fas-
cinating.
An Indian burial is an interesting affair.
saw while at the agency the body of
young boy put face downward into
rough board box which had been decked
with calico, the playthings and old clothes
of the deceased piled upon him, followed
by several blankets. the rudely-constructed
coffin nailed shut and then hoisted up
through a hole in the roof Ga door was
wide open only few feet away. thence
carried to a canoe and taken across the
Quiniault river. where it was left sitting on
the ground gaily bedecked with fancy
calico, pieces of broken plates, shells.
beautiful tin cans, mirror frames and
various other ornaments.
HERBERT BAsHFoRD.