The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-08-17

SNAS AssNPA"s
White Horse Rapids, June %.
After consulting many expert river
DOatmen, several Of whom had navigated
The canyon and White Horse rapids, we
decided that our scOw was
not safe for the present low water, so we
disposed of Onr first product as boat
builders, and had nothing to show for
my labor save cut in the knee from the
lraw shave and the novel experience.
Then we arranged to go on with a party
who had already built a strong boat Of
about five tons burden.
Thus at last we were about to take
open water fOT 60 miles or so at least.
The morning is clear and cold as we fn-
Ish loading aud step from the thick ice
at Lake Marsh to the boat in the open
water, and with four men at the oars,
Dne at the stern and my wife and my
self in the bow we proceed down the
river.
Perhaps it is the fine scenery that
causes our watchfulness to lapse. The
hills are less grand than those we have
passed, bnt the masterpieces Of nature
are still at every hand. There are
cleared fields that might have been titled
by farmers, great bOwlders that look like
we'll preserved castles and cathedrals,
rows Of giant medallions set in high
river banks, and mounds so smooth that
they might have been turned with a
lathe, yet civilized man has never set
foot on the soil.
AT all events we soon find ourselves
where the channel divides, and despite
our tardy efforts, we are carried into the
wrong one. There is a lurch, a harsh
raking Of the bottom Of the boat, a ca
reen and a sudden stop. We are fast up
on a rock. | wear the longest legged
wading boots, so / plunge into the Icy
current that IL SO strong it almost sweeps
my limbs from under me, but we must
do something more besides getting away,
We must learn where the deepest chan
mel is below, so as not to invite further
disaster. With my long salmon spear
handle cautiously sound the stream to
determine the direction we must proceed
II indeed we are fortunate enough to
get off the rOOk. Returning to the boat,
the Oarsmen use their paddles while
make mighty effort to lift the boat up
on one side. But it is of no use. She
will not bulge. Finally one of boatmen,
giant in stature and strength, leaps
overheard and our combined strength
enables us to get clear and spring into
the boat before she Is taken down stream
out of our reach. It is not what might
be called pleasant experience at the
outset OF our water journey. There are
shallow places below where the river is
far more dangerous, and an ice-water
bath Is too exhilarating even in a pro.
hibitiOn country, especially when a
change OF clothing cannot be considered
We halt for dinner where frewoOd seems
most plenty and which is fairly well
sheltered from the wind. While we eat
I succeed fairly in drying my clothes al
the campfire. During the afternoon w
again strike bottom upon two or threC
occasions, and the experience Of thC
morning is repeated.
That night we pull the boat up in 6
little cove and land on the ice, which il
still three or four feet thick near tn,
shore, although the snow has left tn,
country except on the hilltOpS and in tn,
cold ravines. 1t is an ideal place for {
nights rest. There is q fresh breezI
blowing from the river, but back in tn,
woods among the frs the air scarcel!
stirs. 1t is hardly necessary to put "
tent. Goods must be moved so that TIN
boat can be bailed, for she leaks littl,
and we cannot afford to have our pro
visions wet. Perhaps she received {
slight strain on the rocks, although sh
Is a stanch craft and it will take harC
blow to disable her. Blankets must b
carried back to tent and a camp-fir
built. Coffee is to be made, although
most of our food, or at least enough 10
several days ratiOns, has been prepare,
beforehand.
Next morning we are awakened b.
the robins and that sweet sky sOngstres
that seems out Of place in this locality
the lark. should perhaps state that W
have already made the acquaintance 0
the Alaskan mosquito. He, or rather
she, made her appearance in sOciet
about the lst of May, and l have had tn
pesky creatures bite me on the lax
while it was covered with four feet Q
ice. Yet it cannot be truthfully state
that the Alaskan variety is any NOR
pestiferOus than the Jersey breed.
She is larger and more finely fOrme
and her voice is more Of the cOntralt
order. She will likewise bite throug
thicker clothing, but in case Of warfar
she is less quick Of movement than tn
Jersey breed and can be seen rather moi
easily and thus annihilated.
] have forgotten to mention one Of ou