The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1903-11-18


sert. l followed their example, but
on my return to the boat few
minutes later I found my camera
afloat, and it was with difficulty
that it was recovered. I watched
the tide more closely after that ex-
perience.
Up to this time we had been in
side of fairly safe bag, but now
we were heading northward on the
open Pacific. A stiff breeze blew
from the north west and the break
ers rolled up with fury against the
rocky shore. We now began to
realize how helpless and unsafe our
little skiff was. It was out of the
question to keep very near to the
shore for there the breakers would
have swallowed us up in an in
slant, and to land was impossible.
So we struck boldly across. Not
a sail was in sight, nor hut on the
shore, nothing but the roaring
breakers and the seaweed tossed on
the waves. Adding to the difficulty
it suddenly became foggy and shore
vanished from sight. But the In
dams knew their trade and kept
close watch of the sun. The waves
rose higher and higher, and as we
passed into the troughs of the
waves we could not look over the
crest. A few waves more furious
than the rest splashed over the
boat and gave us a taste of the brine
with challenge to be prepared to
"sink or SWIM" Chief Bob seemed
cool and his face was said to be
fair index of our chances. When
asked by Mr.. Ward whether the
boat was in danger he replied with
confidence, ''halo kilopi," meaning
eve will not capsize,
At six o'clock we landed in the
safe harbor of Ucluelet Arm. We
were received by the few fishermen
and natives as was Columbus on his
first visit to the West Indies, but
we were not lauded for taking such
fool hardy voyage. From here on
it was out of the question to use the
canoe any farther, so leaving it in
charge of some friendly Indians,
we again took to the woods, this
time on foot. By nine o'clock we
reached a lumberman cottage
which we appropriated to our own
use over night, and none could in
dict us for trespassing for we knew
of no higher law thau dire neces-
sity. We spread our blankets on
the floor and those of US who we're
addicted to the luxury of a pillow
found consolation in a block of cedar
we'll suited for head rest. 1t was
! hard bed, but we were tired and
I for one never slept sounder or
had sweeter dreams in the finest
Pullman sleeper or city hotel. But
toward midnight it grew very cold
and a blanket fight began. When
that failed to keep the blood circu-
lating we started bonfire before
the place where the door ought to
be, and by this means we managed
to survive till morning. Shortly
after three o'clock we again "hit the
trail" It led through Doggy woods
and heavy underground, Asixteen
mile journey lay between us and the
first settler and this distance must
be covered before the tide should
set in, for the greater part of the
way was on the bea ;h, which was
flooded at time of high tide. We
took the Indians with US to help
carry the blankets and provisions.
While at the oars the Indians were
our masters. on brisk long walk
we proved their superiors. This
the scientist would perhaps explain
in about this way: These coast Ir di-
ans have lived for centuries chiefly
by fishing, hence thier activity has
been rowing principally, thus de-
veloping abnormally strong arms
and shoulders, while their lower
limbs have degenerated, as appeared
to be the case.
On the beach we found various
interesting forms of life such as sea
shells, Holsters for the breakfast
table, starfsh and Jelly fish, and the