The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-03-29

! snow falling from the spruce bOughs
whore flock of crossbllls were twit-
tering over their breakfast. he was al
most persuaded that the experience of
! the preceding night had existed only in
nightmare. But at sunset that evening
| blindness again assailed him.
A week later the icr on the river
broke up, and the strong current soon
| carried it away. Waiting only until
the high water had partly subsided.
| Pierre launched his canoe, frelghted
with It's precious cargo Of skins. and
| began his voyage downstream to the
trading post.
When he pitched camp for the night,
which he took care TO do a full hour
! before sunset. he was but a couple of
miles above the point where a small
river enters the Beaver. A winter en-
| campment Of small band Of Nlontag-
nais Indians was situated on the bank
Of this tributary, near its mouth.
Pierre planned to pass it early on the
following morning, hoping thus to
avoid discovery by the natives.
With Camille, who was well and fay-
orably known throughout the tride at
his side, he would have encountered
| them willingly; but now. alone and
practically helpless at night, he con-
sidered it polite to give them a wide
berth. His furs had been collected in
| Montagnals hunting-grounds. and the
tribesmen might declare him tres
/ passer and coaliScato his booty.
/ Rising with the sun. he resumed his
voyage. Padding steathily in the
shadow Of the opposite Shore he
scanned the woods ut Tie mouth Of the
stream. \ thin smoke-wrcath above
the treetops indicated the position of
the indians, but except that, he saw no
sign Of them.
Toward evening he descended the
rapids above Stone Beaver Falls.
These derive their title from a huge
mass Of dark-colored rock, which at low
water resembles the colossal efiigy of
n couchant beaver, upreared in mid
stream on the brink of the plunglng
| flood which it divides. But now only
the upper part of the spray -drenched.
Otherwise unobstructed, the river
drops in twin sheets sheer eighty feet,
with an incessant crash audible for
great distance.
\ short reach Of comparatively calm
water intervenes between the foot of
the rapids and the falls. To the expert
vOyageur, shooting the rapids was not
difficult, but the current below, where
the waters gathered for their mighty
leap, proved stronger than he had an
tlcipated.
However, thanks TO his skill, he
gained the landing-place in safety.
Then, disembarking, he emptied the
canoe and drew it up on shore, prepar-
atory to portaglng round the falls.
The portage trail was at least a half
mile long. Several trips would be nee
| essary in order TO transport canoe and
cargo to the point of relaunching be-
low. and as it was then well on toward
| sunset, Pierre concluded to await the
morning before beginning his task.
Accordingly, carrying the canoe
few PAGES back from the water. he
overturned IT, and propplng it up on
edge, bestowed the bales Of fur under
1t, thus providing comfortable sleeping
quarters for che night.
Having finished his frugal supper. he
had stepped TO the edge of the river
to draw a cup of water when, as he
stopped to dip it up. darkness overlook
him. IN turning TO grope his way back
TO the canoe he slipped and fell. The
next instant he was I'm the rivec, and
the cold food closed above him,
Although dazed by the shock Of his
sudden immersion, he rose to the sur
face, and taking his bearings from the
course Of the current, he strucl, out
manfully for shore.
He was n strong swimmer. but the
current was his master. and bore him
rapidly toward the falls, his frantic
struggles serving only to keep his head
/ above water.
lie had given up hope when, on
sudden, his outs,retched hand touched
a rock the top Of which rose n few
Inches above water. AS he was swept
against IT he instlnctiyely flung out his
arms and clutched IT., at the same time
gripping with his knees the submerged
end.
There he clung in momentary dread
lest the swirling food should wrench
him from his hold and hurl him over
the seethlng preclplce close below.
Then, with anxious care he dragged
himself out upon the topmost part of
the rock
The yoyageur knew that It must be
the great stone beaver on which he had
found refuge. The banks at that point
/ were vertical walls Of rock, with no
protrudlng spurs or bouders.
The din Of the falls was terrifying,
and the huge rock seemed to tremble
with their thunder.
Presently, gathering courage, he ven
tured to wiring some Of the water from
his dripping garments. Chilled and
cramped though he was, fear OF mis-
step prohibited an upright position. So
kneelIng and crouching alternately,
with an occasional vigorous Tapping Of
his arms, he awaited the break OF day.
At that latitude and season the night
Is short, but to Pierre It seemed in
terminable. On more than one previous
occasion he had been perturbed by an
Idea that his eyes might eventually
remain slghtless by day. He had al
most convinced himself that this