Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-02-04

I
speckled trout, while Nimrod, the mighty
hunter, would have died for JOY amid
such surroundings!
| 1t took four days to reach Lake Quinault,
beautiful body Of water five miles long.
| The journey would have been made in
much shorter time, but the pleasure OF
spending hal day upon the banks Of such
q stream. could No: &c passed. There were
signs of cougar, bear, and elk everywh here,
but the actual game did not put in an
appearance.
with good improvements are located
around Lake Qainault. The farmers were
invariably hospitable and did everything
in their power to give the visitors from
the other side Of the mountains a good
time. 1t was with regret that the party
got ready to leave and embark for its ex-
citing trip through the rapids Of the
lower Quinault river.
Before going, one morning was spent
in watching the Indians catch salmon. 1t
is claimed that the Quinault salmon are
superior to every other variety of salmon
known, except those taken in one part Of
Scotland. They do not exceed seven
pounds i'll weight, their flesh is very red,
oily and rich, and of fine grain. They
are called bluebacks.
AN EXCITING TRIP.
The trip through the rapids is certain
to become famous within few years.
There are fifty shoots, and in many cases
life is i'll danger. The waters roar, foam
and bubble, and switch from one side to
the other, as if in mad race to reach the
coast. Sharp rocks show themselves in
every direction and it requires all the
skill OF the most experienced pilot to
avoid wreck time and time again.
When the water is low the danger is les
sened considerably, because upset occu-
pants of a canoe have a good chance of
reaching shore. II they happen to strike
a rock, or get caught on e-shoot, the
chances OF getting out are small.
Lust spring one of the old settlers left
home to make II short trip down the river.
He was well acquainted with the danger
Gus course, but notwithstanding this,
he must have been wrecked and his boat
smash he'd to bits, for he has never been
y
his neig hbors One of the most exciting
points i'll the journey is where the canoe
shoots over Il fall of about three feet
The waters approach this drop at a ter
rifle rate, and rs the canoe shoots into the
air, person not accustomed to the novel
and exciting adventure thinks that his
last dAy has come. He feels like person
suspended in midair, his stomach eX-
periencing the sensation familiar in he
sudden drop OF the up-to- date elevator.
w hen the can Re finally takes its course
once more through the water, he wonders
how the guide can keep it right side up.
This was especially true with our hunters,
now transformed into shooters of rapids.
Their estimation OF George Underwood,
the Indian guide, who nonchalantly sat
in the stern of the canoe, went up sew
eral points. The canoe was heavily
loaded, and how he managed TO miss
every obstacle to a safe journey is some
thing to be wondered at-avoiding a rock
here, gracefully skirting curve there,
and hen heading through sea OF foam.
Ten miles from the ocean the sound of
t he surf could be heard. At first it re-
sembled the sound from great
battle, and as it came nearer it
seemed as il volley after vo!ley
was being fired from Immense
guns. The grandeur OF the distant Oiym-
of sounds in he distance. On reaching
Qunsult Indian reservation, Il govern
ment building vas placed at the dispo3t
of the boys, and they were well taken
care Of. One day was spent Mt the reseI-
walton, the hundreds OF fertile acres
of which must sooner or later be thrown
open for settlement to the white people.
The next day the hunters walked six
teen miles along The beach to the Quiets
river where the Indians ferried them
across. They camped on the ocean beach
that night and along towards morning
were awakened by Il fierce fight close to
their campfire. Grabbing guns they
rushed forth, only to find that a lot of
Indian dogs had stolen all the bacon.
AN OCEAN TRIP.
They pushed twenty miles more up the
beach. where the fine sand made walking
easy at low tide, but the shore is very
rough one and at high water the many
rocky promontories gave great trouble.
They crossed the Raft river, and by nigh t
got to the Hon river. where they found
, an Indian family of thirteen, W hich was
about to start in a canoe to Port Angeles,
; away around on the straits. Arrange
ments were made with the head of the
family to go along too. The canoe was
forty-two feet long and six feet wide. 1t
was one of the best OF its kind, capable
under Indian guidance of riding a severe
storm.
, The weather was fairly good. though
at times the seas ran pretty high. The
experience two and half days later of
gong outside Cape Flattery in rough
weather was novel and exciting, and they
were glad enough to get into Neah bay
on the straits of Juan de Fuca. away from
the big rollers. They had been out of
sight of land a dozen times, and had to