Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1894-03-02
DOWN THE RAPIDS.

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 liouid diamonds; forest blending into
forest until they melted in the misty
shadows of the blue horizon; mountains
rising beyond mountains in the distance
until their pinnacles lowered above us
like giant fingers pointing upward; deep
ebysses where the torrents roared and
tbundered and the fleeing shadows Turk
ed like phantoms.
We had cast lifes cares and response
bilities behind us and yielded ourselves
mn TO the grateful rest of the communion
with nature. Strolling in the forests,
inst tinted with the first hues Of autumn,
hunting on the lakes or fishing in the
teeming bro0ks-it was all one long
dream Of happy 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 lroquois-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 fine shot,
and what more could you ask
Brave he was certainly, as this nara
tive will go to show, and a 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
his veins
Word came to us one morning that the
track of deer had been discovered on the
banks of a stream a mile or more up the
mountain.
1t happened to be Sunday, a beautiful
day, and the majority Of the party, wea-
ried by week of such active life, pre-
ferred to remain in our cozy 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 one or more Of those
deer ere we returned. John quietly picked
up his gun and took TIE lead as we 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
torecoyer breath and enjoy the prospect
A beautiful scene it was too!
Above MS 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 i'll and out
among the masses of trees and rocks
there glimpse of fairyland through q
forest opening, The lake, surrounded by
dense masses Of foliage, sparlled like d
Jewel set in green, and on its surface
foated 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. II 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 hand
On his shoulder
Better not risk it, chief he sale
quietly; THE suction Of the rapids is ter
rible."
tancled he was more anxious than he
chose to reveal and added my own ex
postulations, but Hood was obdurate
Nothing could restrain him when once
MS mind was made up, and he had de
ermlned to find the traces of those deer
Il will make a detour wide enough tt
avoid the current" he said and threw
OIL all except shirt and trousers
John shook his head, but stood leaning
On his gun without offering further pro
test
The colonel plunged ina grave mis-
.aAe, OF which lie was only too soon t.
learn the consequences. | can see hin
now striking out with even, powerful
strokes Tor the opposite shore; turning
aeiIher to right nor left, yet warily veer
ing on from the dangerous rapids But
Alas! he had fatally miscalculated TIN
grasp OF their ravenous claws.
Even while adlniring his perfect free
uoh IN the element, | noticed that h
was beng drawn from the line of hi
gently, almost imperceptibly a
VI but gaining in velocity as he neare'
Vtreaeherous suction. In an instant
.,anzed his peril and sprang down tn
uahA with loud cry of warning. H
.s5V hasty glance to where the mist o
~ seeming waters hung ON the air lik
0'oud, then turned and struck out TO
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