Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-04-03
DOWN THE RAPIDS.

nature In her sublime -grandeur-lak
upon lake 81 drkiing in the summer su,
like liquid diamonds; forest blending int
forest until they melted in the mist,
shadows Of the blue horizon; mountain
rising beyond mountains in the distanc
until their pinnacles lowered above n
like giant fingers pointing upward; deel
abysses where the torrents roared anc
thundered and the feeting shadows lurk
ed like phantomA.
| We had cast hfe's cares and responsi
bihties behind us and yielded ourselve.
mp to the grateful rest Of the communion
with nature. Strolling in the forests
just tinted with the first hues Of autumn
hunting on the lakes or fishing In the
tecming brooks-it was all one long
dream Of ha, py luxury.
Yet we did not wander aimlessly. We
had guide who chose our camps, coun-
seled and led us on our expeditions, and,
concerning him, one word. He was an
Indian-one Of the few survivors Of the
once powerful nation Of the IroQuois-a
tall, angular, keen eyed man past the
middle age. the sinews Of whose lean
body seemed nodded Of iron. Quiet, re-
served, speaking but seldom and then
briefly and 70 the purpose, he had yet
worked his way deep into our regard,
for as Colonel Hood afterward remarked,
HE was brave man and a fine shot,
and what more could you ask7"
Brave he was certainly, as this nara,
tive will so to show, and fine shot, as
his prowess among the game had time
and again proved. We called him John.
but his name was Wahneema, and he
had the proud blood Of chiefs coursing In
bis veins
Word came to us one morning that the
track Of deer had been discovered on the
banks OF stream mile or moro up the
mountain.
1t happened TO be Sunday, beautiful
day. and the majority Of tho party, wea,
ried by week Of such active Life, pre-
ferred TO remain In our cory little camp
on the borders Of the lake. But Colonel
Hood and myself, the two most ardent
and experienced hunters present, shoul-
dered our rifles and announced our de-
termination to bag one or moro OF those
deer ere we returned. John quietly picked
up his gun and took the lead as we set off.
A tiresome climb over rocks and fallen
trees finally brought US to onr destina-
ton--a little mountain lake, from which
the stream dashed In foaming torrent
fierce and irresistible. Eere We paused
to recover breath and enjoy the prospect.
A beautiful scene ii was too.
Above us rose the grand Mountains
their tops blushing crimson in the rising
sun; here little waterfall, like thread
OF gold and silver, flashing down the
mountain side and twining in and ont
among the masses Of trees and rocks;
there glimpse Of fairyliad through a
forest opening, The lake, surrounded by
dense masses Of foliage, sparkled like q
jewel set in green, and on its surface
hoated water fowl of every kind. But
no deer We're visible. We searched the
bank. but even Johns practiced eye
failed to find the traces.
"Either we have been deceived or the
tracks are to be met on the opposite
margin" said the colonel. 81 don't in
tend to return until / am satisfied. So
here goes"
He hastily threw of his coat and vest.
but was checked by John laying hand
on his shoulder.
Better not risk it, Chief he said
quietly; 1.-THE suction of the rapids is ter
rible."
fancied he was more anxious than he |
chose to reveal and added nv own ex. |
postulations, but Hood was obdurateL
Nothing could restrain him when once
his mind was made up, and he had de-
termined to find the traces of those deer.
~ will make detour wide enough to
avoid the current" he said and threw
off all except shirt and trousers.
John shook his head, but stood leaning
on his gun withdet offering further pro-
test.
The colonel plunged ina grave mis-
take, Of which he was only too soon to
learn the consequences. can see him
now, striking out with even, powerful
strokes for the opposite shore; turning
neither to right nor left, yet warily veer-
Ing Off from the dangerous rapids. But,
alas! he had fatally miscalculated the
grasp of their ravenous claws
Even while admiring his perfect free
dom in the element, / noticed that he
was being drawn from the line of his
course-gently, almost imperceptibly at
first, but gaining in velocity as he neared
the treacherous suction. In an instant | |
realized his peril and sprang down the
bank with loud cry Of warning. He
cast hasty glance to where the mist Of
the seething waters hung on the air like
a cloud. then turned and struck out for
the open Lake. But the precaution came
too late-too latei
For one moment he held his own
against the current, advancing not an
inch, notwithstanding his desperate
strokes, and then suddenly. quicker than
eye could follow or pen could describe,
he was seized In the grasp Of a giant
hand, resistless In its might, and whirled
away like shaft from the bow.
Down! down! he went, along the speed
Ing waters, smooth as glass, into the vor-
tex Of the whirlpool, where they writhed
and Kissed and thundered on the Jagged |
rocks. A single cry escaped him-a cry
that rolled from shore to shore and died |
In quavering echoes high among the
mountain gorges. Then he ceased to |
struggle, and his head fell Imply back as
the mist closed round his sinking form.