The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-08-05

The little skiff with Pete seated in the
stern was pushed Off from the shore there
was man along to row, and Mr.. J. E. Spur,
chief of the party, was also on board. With
q few strokes of his paddle Pete brought
the boat directly into the current the oars
man pulled vigorously 80 as to give the boat
steerageway, and then with the speed of an
express train she shot into the gloomy recess
of the canyon Her wild plunges in the
leap.ng, foamng waters was a most eScit-
ing scene to witness. At times il seemed rs
if she surely would be drawn broaGSde to
the breakers as she dashed madly along,
then again she would spring and bury her
self in the surges so that the spray would
almost hide her from our view.
However, guided by the strong arm of
Pete. she swept along on the central crest,
where the water is crowded up fully four
feet higher than by the walls, and in few
moments traversed the first portion and
shot out into the circular pool. Then came
breathing space before the second wild
dash through the lower section OF the
cany on, and loud hurrah from those at
that eud announced that the passage had
been successfully accomplished. After a
little rest the other boats were safely
brought down, Pete good naturally assist
ing them all.
Among the many thrilling events which
have occurred here Is the case of two Swedes
who did not know of the existence OF the can
y0n. When they were swept into it they ut
once gave themselves up for lost, and
crouched down into the bottom of their
boat. Fortunately for them their boat was
well built, and it passed safely into the pool,
but having no guiding hand 1t shot into the
eddy, instead of continuing down the second
portion. The poor fellows were entirely out
OF reach Of any assistance from those on the
banks, and in this fIightful whirlpool they
circIed around and around for six long hours
when, by some unaccountabie freak of the
current, they were carried forward and
landed safely below.
WHITE HORSE RAPIDS
Below the canyon there is a stretch two
miles long of very bad water, which reaches
to White Horse Rapids. The landing here
must he made il an eddy on the left bank,
just above the great bend. The least care
le,sness in this renders the traveller liable to
be swept away by the current. White
Horse Rapids are half mile In length, and
are greatly dreaded by all who make this
journey. They are caused by lava flow
less terrific in their appearance than the
canyon, they have proved to be nevertheless
tar more dangerous, and every year num-
Der of men are drowned here.
During the past two seasons alone over 20
unfortunate men, on their way to the gold
fields, have lost their lives in these wild
waters. The graves of those who have been
found now dot the desolate shore for miles
he'll In OF ptph nf la rIv ON
includes the Canyon and White Horse
Rapids, there is drop of 80 feet in three
miles. From this one may judge of the
velocity OF the current.
We camped at the head of the rapids, and
the mex morning we began again the tedious
work of carrying all our things over the
portage, a labor which was rendered d0ubly
arduous by the misery we had TO endure from
the musketOes. After all the boats were I'M
loaded they were snubbed down the rapids
which was accomplished in the following
manner: Each boat had been provided
with about 200 feet of line expressly for this
work, one man steered and another man
armed with a pole kept the boat from dash
ing either ashore or against rocks, while the
rest of the men, holding the line, followed
along the bank.
These men held the line taut to check the
boat, or allow it to run on, according to the
signals given by those on board. Thus
slowly, and almost foot by foot, the exciting
passage was made, until the final pitch was
reached. Here the force of the water is so
great that it is the custom to haul the boats
out and carry them over the rocks for dis
tance of about so yards. Fortunately for rs,
at the time of our passage these rocks were
still covered with mush ice over which we
slid the boats with very little difficulty.
One party had large scow, aud this had
been lett till the last, as it was too unwieldly
to be snubbed down by ropes over the rocks
at the worst part; the only course therefore
was to allow it to shoot the whole rapids and
take it's chances. After the other boats had
all been safely brought down, they were
manned and placed in readiness to offer
assistance in case of an accident happening
to the scow. While Pete, with three yolun-
teers, went back to the head of the rapids to
bring the scOw down, the rest of us stationed
ourselves along with poles and coils of rope
ready to give whatever aid we could should
there be any need.
Soon the scow appeared sweeping down the
furious stretch of water. In shorter time
than it takes to tell it she reached the final
pitch where the river roars through gap
In the lava Deu scarcely 0U ydTuS IN Width.
1t required great skill to steer directly
through so narrow pass. We all held our
breath as the clumsy vessel made the last
violent plunge and then buried her bow deep
in the whrling foam. The next instant it
rose half filled with water, and was safely
borne away to a quiet pool below.
Having reloaded our boats we again set
out. From White Horse Rapids the river
is safe and smooth, and we made quick
run to the junction of the Tahkeena River,
Is miles below. In the Chilcat language
this means Musketo River, and it surely
deserves its name. We camped here and
patiently endured the usual torture.
LAKE LABARGE.
The following morning, June %, we
started early and soon made the remaining
IA miles of the river; this brought US to
Lake Labarge. This lake derives its name
from famous old frontiersman who was
employed in the expedition which was sent
up here in 1867 by the Western Union Tele-
graph Company. Lake Labarge is the last
and the largest of the chain, being 81 miles
long with all average breadth of five miles.
1t has also the reputation of being the most
stormy one of the group, and is much
dreaded by the miners.
We entered this lake at one o'clock in the
afternoon, and as we were anxious to get
through it as quickly as possible, we pulled
steadily at the oars until ii at night As