Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-12-07


canoes were loaded and they started
up, this stream, it was noticeable that
the doctor and Jean, in their craft.
kept close to Martin, and not once dur
Ing all that days Journey did they drop
two rods astern.
For the first few miles the stream
wound, black and without current, be-
meath canopy of frs, the low banks
completely hid by underground. Now
and then mink or muskrat was seen
crossing just ahead, and once on otter,
surprised on a half-submerged log,
dived in with splash that sounded
unduly loud. Then wide stretch of
impossible swamp was entered, with
here and there a dead spruce rising
tall and spectral; beyond this the val
ley narrowed and banks grew high and
rock-walled. Here, too, the stream
showed the first sign of current, and
the low murmur of an occasional.
though invisible rill, gave some re-
lief.
And here it must be stated that in
all the wide world there is no sound
SO sweet as the music Of a brooklet
heard in the 'sombFe silence of a will
derness. A bobolink circling over a
meadow utters note of wondrous
sweetness. but not to compare with
the melodious tinkle of faint, forest
hidden rill.
To Martin and the doctor it gave
keen pleasure, for the unbroken silence
of forest solitudes, endured for hours,
becomes oppressive. Up to this time,
also, no sign of what they were in
quest of had been found-no queer
tracks on muddy banks, no broken
twigs, or leaves floating down, no
sounds of ill omen, or aught else OF
suspicious nature. And when noon
came, and they landed to crawl up on
a high bank and cook dinner, it seemed
as it the Doctors theory of a wild
goose chase was likely to prove cor
rect. But now a clew came to them,
though one that never would have been
noticed except by woodsman of Le-
Wis keenness. He had gone little
higher up on the bank to break dry
twigs from the trunk of fir tree, when
suddenly he paused, elevated his nose
and shifted,
II smell smoke" he said, con- birch
bark smoke, too."
the tree and halted not until we'll up
toward the~tep.
"Thar's an opening, n a little lake
ahead" he added, returning to earth.
The information was trifle, but it
was something of value, and when the
hastily-cooked meal was eaten, they
pushed on. and now the stream, which
had grown smaller, seemed likely to
lose itself in another swamp. 1t was
now mere network of narrow leads
without current, twisting among boys
Of dry sedge and half hidden beneath
alders. First one was tried, then an
other, and even Levi was getting dis
couraged, when an opening showed
ahead in the tangle, and soon they
emerged into placid little lake.
It was scarce a half mile in diameter,
nearly round, and swamp bordered for
three-Quarters of it's circumference.
To the right of where they entered.
and on its north side, the shore was
high, and thickly grown with spruce
and here also was bit of sandy beach.
Without word of comment, Levi
turned his canoe toward this, and side
by side the two little craft drew near,
TO halt suddenly when within few
rods, for there on the bank and beside
narrow path lay birch bark canoe,
bottom up!
And we'll they might halt to see that
tangible evidence of human existence,
so far from civilization and so abso-
lutely hid in the wilderness,
Then the two men looked at each
other, while both canoes, as If sharing
their feelings, drew close together. The
doctor was first to speak.
"Can it be he?" he whispered. Mar
tin shook his head looking and listen
ing. The question now was not so
much whether he was lurking in the
thicket back Of the canoe, as how he
would be apt to receive callers.
The canoe looked harmless-an old
fashioned one of birch bark and not
the later kind made of canvas. 1t was
long, narrow, and shallow, patched in
many places and must have had many
years Of service.
We hesitate about landing on I'M
known shores, and Martin now exper-
fenced this feeling; but at last he mo-
toned to Levi, and as his canoe
grounded on the sandy beach, Martin
stepped out with rifle in hand and led
the way up the narrow path. And very
slowly those four, in single file, adj
vanced. The path wound around, as
cending low hill, thick grown with
spruce at It's base, then white birch on
top, and beyond those soon appeared
an opening, and facing it a log-cab!n
half hidden under green vines. A
smaller one stood back Of it. The
opening bristled with blackened stumps,
fence. of birch stakessdriven into the
earth and bound with bark withes, sur
rounded cabins and cleared space, and
in this rude garden spot potatoes, beans.
and corn, were just growing green. No
occupant of the cabin was visible, its
door was closed, and as the now as
tonished party drew near, a dozen or
more red squirrels were observed,
perched on the cabin or frisking about
it, scolding and chattering. One bolder
than the rest advanced to meet the Wis.
itors with evident delight. It was such
a peaceful scene, and the squirrels
added such a touch of nature to tho
wildwood home, all fearof grizzly faced
Wild men vanished. If this was the lair
OF one, he, certainly must be poetic OF
nature and therefore harmless. !!
Martin knocked at the door. but re-