Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-23

into the quiet channel of the stream which
fell in upon its western shore. Up this
stream in turn steadily they passed. amid
a panorama filled with constant change
Sometimes the gentle river bent away In
long curves with hardly ripple upon its
placid surface, save where now and again
some startled fish sprang into the air IN
fright or sport. or in the rush upon Its prey.
Then the stream would lead away into vast
seas Of marsh lands, waving in illimitable
reaches Of rushes or fringed with the un-
speakably beautiful green of the graceful
wild rice plant -
In these wide levels now and again the
channel divided, or lost itself in little cul
de sacs. from which the paddlers were
obliged to retrace their way. All about
them rose myriads of birds and wild fowl,
which made their nests among these marsh
es, and the babbling chatter Of the rail,
the high-keyed calling Of the coot or the
clamoring Of the BODYBUILDING mallard as
sailed their ears hour after hour as they
passed on between the leafy shores. Then,
again. the channel would sweep to one side
of the marsh, and give view to wide vistas
Of high and rolling lands, dotted with groves
of hardwood, with here and there a swamp
Of cedar OF of tamarack. Little herds Of
elk and droves Of deer fed on the grass
covered slopes as fat, as sleek and fear
less of mankind as though they dwelt
.domesticated in some noble park
It was a land obviously but little known.
even to the most adventurous, and as
chance would have It. they met not even
ly now the little boat was climbing. climbing
slowly and gently. yet surely, upward from
the level of the great Lake Michiganon. In
time the little river bfoadened and hattened;
out into wide, shallow expanses. the waters
known as the Lakes of the Foxes: and be-
yond that 1t became yet more shallow and
uncertain. winding among Quaking bogs and
unknown marshes: yet still. whether by pa
thence. or by cheerfulness. or by determine
ton. the craft stood on and on, and SO
reached that end Of the waterway which.
in the opinion OF the more experienced Du
Mesne. must surely be. the place known
among the Indian tribes as the place for
the carrying Of boats
Here they paused for few days. at that
mild summit Of land which marks the por-
tage between the east-bound and the west
bound waters: yet, impelied ever by the
their pause but short In time they
launched their craft on lne bright smooth
flood Of the river OF the Ouisconsins, stained
coppery-red by its far-on. unknown course
Of the roots OF pine and tamarack and
cedar. They passed ON steadily westward,
hour after hour, with the current of this
great stream. among little islands covered
with timber; passed along bars Of white
sand and fats Of hardwood: beyond forest
might now and again see great vistas of a
scenery now peaceful and now bold with
turreted knobs and sweeping Swards Of
green. as though some noble house OF old
these wide. and NellTkept grounds The
country now rapidly, lost its maFShy char,
acfer and as they approached The inoiifh
of the great stream. II being now we'll TO-
ward the middle of the summer they
reached, suddenly and without forewarn-
inE, that which they long had sought. 80 81
The sturdy paddlers were bending, to their
tasks, each broad hack swinging In unison