The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-27
VOYAGE TO LAKE BENNETT.
observation-disclosures" safely Rides
the Boiling outlet of Lin-
sferman.

Py the PIT Alaskan News Syndicate.
LAKE BENNETT n. w. T. Aug. h
AZ o'clock Wednesday afternoon we
set sail from Camp Lake Linderman. A
strong wind was blowing down the lake
and kicked up considerable OF a sea. and
we thought il a favorable opportunity for
testing the seaworthiness of the Post
Tntelligencer" She was heavily loaded
and carried fun crew. Sail was hoisted
and away we sped down the lake. The
boat stood the test splendidiy and wealth
cred every sea like a waterfowl. Another
boat. which started out a few minutes
ahead OF MS was compelled 10 seek shell
ter. 1t was an exciting boat ride. and at
times I had great difficulty in retaining
control over the little craft so anxious
was she 10 make a record breaking trip to
the rapids, Lake LindeTman is six miles
long. one-half mile in width, down in a
deep canyon. and has the shape OF
slightly bent elbow. On the port side. on
the cone Of an immense boulder. futtered
in the breeze the Stars and Stripes. BY
it's side was another staff which bore the
tattered remnants of the ensign of Great
Britain, but which had been whipped 10
pieces by the blizZards OF the north. That
was the dividing line between Alaska and
the Northwest Territory. In the twinkling
of a second the "Post-Intelligencer" had
carried US into Canadian waters. and with
the fieetness of winged bird we soon
reached the end OF the lake. The rocky
canal that empties Lake Lin6erman into
Lake Bennett by the peculiar formation
of the land Is partly concealed. Without
previous warning the waters suddenly be-
come swift and then plunge into canyon
filed with rugged boulders and which
means certain destruction to loaded
boat. Before realizing the danger we were
on fits brink. The sail came down in a
hurry and we pulled out OF harms way
and landed on the opposite shore, one
hour and thirty minutes from the time
we set sail. Our supplies were quickly
landed and we went into camp. heavy
rain fell during the night. The next
morning we surveyed the rapids. The
stream cuts through a wall of granite and
basaltic formation for a distance Of three
quarters OF a mile, and has fall of forty
feet. The stream is swift. full Of houlders
and careful navigation is necessary 10
avoid accidents. With 200 feet OF rope
fastened TO the bow and In the hands of
five men, Mr.. Smith. one of our party.
with long poles got into the boat and be-
gan the descent. Gradually the long rope
was payed out, and by careful steering
we avoided the boulders. Once II was
necessary that / should jump overheard
into the water waist deep and push off to
prevent the boat striking hidden rock.
The last $50 feet was the worst of all.
The water fairly boiled and foamed In It's
madness to tear away the granite boul-
ders that stood IN the middle of the
stream 70 check its rush. The boat
danced about like cork aud taxed TO the
utmost the strength Of the men ashore.
BY careful polling the craft was worked
into the proper position. the line from
shore was slackened and we shot into the
rapids. Not fifty yards distant and in
plain view stood the headboard over the
grave OF j. w. Mapea. the man who In
descending the rapids capSiZed his boat
and lost his outfit and then blew out his
brains. The scene was impressive and IL
win be many a long day before we will
forget its effect. The boat launched into
the whirlpool Of boiling waters. On one
OF the rocks which We avoided were the
wrecks OF two unfortunate boats. The
observation-disclosures dove into the eddies
and came up shedding the water like a
duck. An instant later and II was oil
over and we were safely at anchor. Then
we helped two Swedes, from Helena
Mont through the rapids, and acciden-
tally ran against a sunken boulder which
strained the boat considers bly,. The rest
of the afternoon and today we put IN
carrying cur goods across the portage.
The road is quite sandy and hard TO
iraveI