The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-28

OF the mountain ana thc nOou- Tue
stream. clear at this tine. comes tum-
bnng over the gray old rocks. dashed into
foam. or swirling In a whirlpool around
the numberless small Islands. carpetet
with grass and water flags and C1nOpled
with willows.
Among these islands and IN these rapids
the small boy is the happiest OF mortals.
He knows no cares or troubles; Is at
peace with the world and Cinnamon
IL he mas mastered the piscatoriai art
he is wont to boast OF his prowess and
sympathize with his less fortunate COM
panions. He rides logs, builds RATS.
plunges into the cool depths of his IA
vorte pool. shoots blackbirds with his
graVel-shOOter. and. in fact. has a gi0-
rious time generally
These swimming holes all have their
names. given, perhaps. by the grand
fathers OF the present frequenters Ira
ditons, also. OF the proves OF bygOne
boys, dignihed business and professional
men now, still cling about these places
and are treasured up by their descend
ants.
The Lake" large sheet OF water
damned back by a ridge Of natural rock,
Is the safest. and usually the place where
beginners are found. The pulling urchin
thinks great things Of himself when, after
much struggling, ne is able 10 gain the
submerged rock in the middle. The larger
boy would not degin 10 be found here.
He has graduated and seeks out the
most dangerous places he can find. They
are plentiful. too.
There is "Cfry." a rapid. or slulce. as
II is called, starting with a small cas-
cade. about three feet high. over which
these aInphibious striplings DO not hest
tate 10 swim. The sensation as the fall
shoots you over and the tumbling water
carries you nearly 10 the bottom is de-
Hghtful. l have seen strangers who were
good swimmers themselves astounded at
me Slght OF ten or more BOYS hOobiug iu
long line over the head OF "Ufry" TO
feach the surface some ten yards down
stream.
soda WaterI and Rainbow Falls. "
netWeen which Is a cave. 20 be reached
oy diving through the fail. Tiger" IS
very dangerCis rapid
ABOVE all, however, more dangerous and
fascinating than all. is big He'll" The
scnoOl-boy has reached the very acme OF
ms mbltiOn AMI his reputation Is estab-
Hsaed when he can cross He'll To- high
water. Just liule way up s.reim Is
hedNen. connecting the two what Is
known as Hell Gates" or "Shinbons
Alley
10 is said that no one ever swan direct
Is through this place I'm fact, one man
y as drowned IN irying n.
Nne evening / saw two toys Of seven
teen, boon companions. make Che attempt
They SWING themselves down behind t.e
tig diving rock, stood looking for a mo-
mcnt al the angry torrent s0tcmnly
shook hands and without a word. plunged
in. Fortunately for them, although mag
niiicent swimmers. the current was too
strong They rolled over and over and
switching % one side, were washed on a
hsh-frap
Such are the swimming holes and such
the swimmers IN the old James. Wke over
hand stroke. used altogether is powerful
and fun OF grace.
one hot afternoon I determined. after
many years. to revisit my old haunts OBJ
the river 4 storm had been brewing all
the evening and after a while II burst
into the worst / ever saw. a crowd of
bOys-l!ttle Enthusiastically bundled uT
their clothes. ana seeking shelter from
the storm. crowded into the cave rock
on Soda Island There was no room f0i
me, so j stood, unknown 10 the boys
beneath the trees growing above. With
every vivid flash the poor little chaps
would cover back against the rock
frightened nearly 20 death. The storm
below After awhile ] heard little TEL
low say Jim. stop your cusSin
yes" replied another. old Inc 1907
saws that cussin' folks and dogs draws
lightning" They seemed 20 be having d
consultation for ! heard several voices
and IN a. few minutes the culprlt was
thrust out Ike Jonah, for fear OF some
dire calamity.
perform deeds Of real heroism. risk.nt
their own lives % save "a playmate lI"4"
drowning.
had not intended rambling over recol
lections which. however pleasant 10 my
self may be boring TO other people. hdl
perhaps gray hairs and boys or once
own growing up among just sucn tu.N-'
are "A sufficient excuse for "a desire I.
talk about those pleasures waicn me
youth enjoys. CHARLES MEhN lN'