The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-09-04
their village and enoeavored to avoid
fh.a infection


Wild Horse island, which was reached
in the afternoon, after series of tacks
before good breeze. While all of the
scenery around the lake is worthy of
observation, that of the big Arm" is
especially so, being both beautiful
and impressive. and those of the party
who had not visited the neighborhood
before were enthusiastic in praise of
it's scenic attractions. After a ramble
over the island, camp was established
on the south side, and the beauty of
the surroundings, the perfect weather
"a clear bright day, turning to
mOonlit night, supper which reflect
ed credit on the chief steward, roar.
ing fire, music and laughter, argument
and story combined in an evenings
enjoyment that will long linger in the
minds of the crew of the Swan. And
then a stretch on fragrant pine
bOughs, wrapped in a blanket, and
hours OF quiet sleep, to awake in the
stiffness and catch the glitter of the
rising sun on the water This was
the ideal day of a most enjoyable
week.
All aboard for Bear Dance!" was
the captains joyful announcement
after breakfast Friday morning and
Big Arm, skirting the islands across
the lower lake, and across to the east
side. Light winds made progress
slow for some hours, but in the after
noon came a gusty SCUM wind that
the boat heeled before as she flew
northeast. Everything held until
within a mile OF Bear Dance. when a
miniature squall loosened the temper
ary fastening of the mainmast and top
pied it over into the lake wiz
rush. Then it was thal the hOarse
commands of the commanding officer
re-echOed from the mountains and the
crew followed quickly his example in
graphing with the wreckage and haul
ing it aboard 1t was an exciting mo-
monet when the squan struck, but
few minutes sufliced to straighten mat
ters out and the Swan raced over to
Bear Dance landing under jib and
foresail. Here Mr.. and Mrs. Henry
Chapman and family greeted the voy-
ayers as returned prodigals. and COM
forted them with Flathead wine and
many other good things.
The inquisitive member of the crew
at once buttonholed the host as to the
origin OF the picturesque name given
the place, and was told that a few
years ago it was the custom when
bear was killed to divide up among
the neighhOring settlers. sand that to
celebrate the occasion a dance and
general good time was announced,
which affairs were called for brevity
bear dances, and the name has stuck.
It is pleasant spot. Mr. Chapman
has erected several nice little cot
sages and proposes to increase their
number in the endeavor to attract
tourists and hunters, and the natural
attractions combined with his plans
for the comfort of visitors certainly
promise success for his efforts.
The evening of the day on which the
Swan sailed into Bear Dance was Tie
time set for a dance and supper to
which a most cordial invitation had
been given the SWan-boat travellers ere
their departure on the trip, and which
also the neighbors for miles around
were asked to grace with their pres
ence. So when the vOyagers heard of
The charming young ladies who would
be present, the ruStling for raZOrs an.
shears, powder boxes and shoe polish,
clean collars and ties was earnest and
persistent. Soon George Wells launch
hove in sight with a party of twenty
five from Big Fork, to be followed by
as many more by carriage and horse
back. After supper, ABOUT o'clock
the dancing cOmmencsu, and cOntinu
ed, with the exception of halt after
mi n 1rin okA
generous supply of good things fur
nished by the host and hostess, unit.
coffee was served in the morning and
the launch whistle announced the re-
turn trip. =. was jolly party and
good time to be remembered.
reinforced with flagons and apples
and other good things for the comfort
ing of its weary but happy crew. the
Swan bade farewell to Bear Dance
about ten o'clock Saturday and turned
again westward. An addition to the
crew was taken along in John Tlsdale,
who as an experienced Flathead mari.
ner was elected vice-captain and
worthily he served. After creeping
along for few miles calm fell upon
the lake, and. there for hours the
Swan reposed, idle as a painted ship
upon painted ocean," which period
of inaction the crew, except the stew
ards, passed stretched in slumber to
recuperate from the previous even
ing's enjoyments. The stewards were
worried lest the nagOns would be-
come heated and their contents be. rem
dered unfit for use, SO sturdily kept
awake to ward off the feared catas;ro.
phe and incidentally to sail ,--a boat.
Their efforts were in the man sue
cessful. as no,hing was spoiled, but to
their natural indignation their labors
failed of appreciation, as the howl that
arose from the sleepers on awakening
to discover the stewards preservatlve
methods was sufficient to raise
breeze and as the sun set the Swan
was creeping northwest in the mi4.e
of the lake. Toward midnight a land
ing was made, the boat hauled up
wnIle fire was ightea and grow
Ter" of hot coffee brewed and 0ispos-
ed of with other good things, then the
'arpaulin was spread on the beach
and wrapped in their blankets the
weary sailors dropped into slumber on
the sand in the moonlight, to be arous-