The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-04-26
DOWN THE RAPIDS.

NV w ~ lIllZ 1tlk1 1Dbs
We were a merry party strolling among
the woods and waters of the Adirondacks
magical word to summon up visions of
nature in her sublime grandeur-lake
upon lake sparkling in the summer sun
like liquid diamonds; forest blending into
forest until they meltcl in the misty
shadows of the biEc Aorizo2: mountains
rising beyond MOUNTAINS in the distance
until their pinnGc.es lowered above us
like giant fingers pointing upward; deep
abysses where the torrents roared and
Numbered and tie Aeeting shadows lurk-
ed like phantou-5.
We had cast life's cares and RESPONSE
bilities behind MS and yielded ourselves
up to the grateful rest of the communion
with nature. Strolling in the forests,
lust tinted with the first hues OF autumn,
hunting on the lakes or fishing in the
teeming brooks-it was all one long
dream Of happy laxury.
Yet we did not wander aimlessly. We
had a guide who chose our camps, oun
seled and led us On III 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 to the purpose. he had yet
worked his way deep into our regard,
for as Colonel Hood afterward remarked,
HE was a brave man and a fine shot.
and what more could you ASK
Brave he was certainly, as this MARIA
tive will 20 to show, and d fine shot. as
and again proved We called him John,
but his name was Wahneema, and he
had the proud blood of chiefs coursing In
his veins.
Word came to rs n morning that the
track of deer had been discovered on the
banks of a stream a mile or more up the
mountain.
Il happened to be Sunday, a beautiful
day. and the majority of the party, e
ried by a week of such active life, pre-
ferred to remain in our coy little camp
ON the borders Of the lake. But Colonel
Hood and myself, the two most ardent
and experienced hunters present, shout
dered our rifles and announced our de-
termination to bag N or more Of those
deer ere we returned. John quietly picked
up his gun and took the lead as :. q set off.
A tiresome climb over rocks and fallen
trees finally brought us to our destina-
tion-a little mountain lake, from which
the stream dashed in a foaming torrent,
fierce and irresistible. Here we paused
TO recover breath and enjoy the prospect.
A beautiful scene it was too.
Above us rose the grand mountains,
their tops blusning crimson IN the rising
sun; here a little waterfall, like q thread
of gold and silver, flashing down the
mountain side and twining in and out
among the masses of trees and rocks;
there a glimpse of fairyland through a
forest opening. The lake. surrounded by
dense masses of foliage, sparkleda like a
jewel set in green, and on its surface
foated water fowl of every kind. But
no deer were visible. We searched the
bank. but even Johns practiced eye
failed TO find the traces.
Either we have been deceived or tbs
tracks are to be met on the opposite
margin" said the colonel. Il don't in
tend to return until | am satisfied. Sc
here goes.
He hastily threw off his coat and vest
but was checked by John laying a hand
on his shoulder
Better not risk il, chief he SAIL
quietly: 1.-The suction Of the rapids is ter
rible."
fancied he wa more anxious than b
chose to reveal and added my own ex
postulations. but Hood was Of iurate
Nothing could restrain him when ono
his mind was made up, and he had dc
termined to find the traces Of those deer
II will make a detour wide enough t
avoid the current he said and threy
off all except shirt and trousers.
John shook his head, but stood leanin
on his gun without offering further pre
test.
The colonel plunged ina grave mil
take, OF which he was only too soon |
learn the consequences. | can see hin
now. striking chi with even. powerf,
strokes for the opposite shore; turnin
neither to right o left. yet wariiy wee
ing off from the dangerous rapids. Blu
alas! he had fatally miscalculated Il
grasp of their ravenous claws.
Even while aduairing bis perfect FIRE
dom in the element. | noticed that /
was being drawn from the line of b
course-gently, almost imperceptibly
htrst, but gaining In velocity AZ he nears
fhe treacherous suction. In an instant
sealized his peril and sprang down Il
hank with . loud CRY Of warning. +
cast 4 hasty glance 10 where the mist
me seething waters hung on the air Iii
cloud. then turned and struck out I