Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-04-21

very dear to me, | had never a more
delightful time than when | sat by the
new fireside with all my Giants num-
Der as yet undiminished-or went
FOSTERING in wood or field with the
younger children.
The day came when D'ri and | were
to meet the ladies. We started early
that morning of the 18th Long before
daylight we were moving rapidly
down-river in our canoes.
| remember seeing a light flash up
and die away in the moonlit mist of
the river soon after starting
"The boogy light" D'ri whispered.
"There t goes ag'in,"
l had heard the river folk tell often
of this weird thing-one of the odd
phenomena of the st. Lawrence.
Comes alwus where folks hev been
drcwnded," said Dri. "Thet air 8
what | we hearn tell"
1t was, indeed the accepted theory of
the fishermen, albeit many saw in the
boogy light a warning to mark the
place of forgotten murder, and bore
away.
The sun came up in a clear sky, and
soon far and wide, its light was toss
ing in the ripple-tops. We could see
them glowing miles away. We were
both armed with saber and pistols, tCr
that river was the very highway of ad-
venture in those days of the war.
Don jes' like this kind NV a hoss,'
said D'ri. Got t. keep whalin' i'm all
W IN ho &c ell n
rough goin'."
He looked thoughtfully at the sun a
breath, and then trimmed his remark
with these words: "Ain't eggzacly
sure-footed, nuther"
Don't require much feed, though"
suggested.
mo we hev t. dew all the eatin', but
we can alwus eat nough fer both"
1t was a fine day, and a ride to re-
member. We had a warm sun, a clear
sky, and now and then we could feel
the soft feet of the south wind romp-
| ing over us in the river way. Here
and there a swallow came coasting to
the ripples, sprinkling the holy water
of delight upon us, or a crows shadow
! plowed silently across our bows. 1t
thrilled me to go cantering beside the
noisy Rapides du Plats or the wild
| footed Galloup, two troops of water
! hurrying to the mighty battles of the
sea. We mounted Keeling knobs, and
coasted over whirling dips, and rushed
to boiling levels, and jumped foamy
ridges, and went galloping in the rush
and tumble Of long slopes.
Let 'er rip" could hear D'ri shout
ing, once in a while, as he flashed up
ahead Of me. Let 'er rip! Consarn
'er pictur'!"
He gave a great yell of triumph as
we slowed in long stretch Of still,
broad water. Judas Priest." said he,
as I came alongside, tibet air S
rougher n the bog trail"
We came to Paleyville with time only
for a bite of luncheon before dark.
We could see no sign of life on the is
land or the "Canuck shore" as we
turned our bows to the south channel.
That evening the innkeeper sat with
us under creaking sign, our chairs
tilted to the tavern-side.
Dri was making a moose-horn of
birch-bark as he smoked thoughtfully.
When he had finished he raised it to
his lips and moved the flaring end in
a wide circle as he blew a blast that
rang miles away in the far forest.
EFF we heppen t. git separated in any
way, shape er manner 'cept one said
he, as he slung it over his shoulder
with string, we II know purity nigh
where | be when ye hear tibet air
thing"
you said, in any way, shape er
manner 'cept one l quoted. What
do you mean by that"
My friend eXpectorated, looking off
into the night soberly a moment
Guess | did mt mean nuthin'," said
he, presently. "When | set out t say
suthin', don't never know where l m
goin' t land. Good deal LUX settin'
sail without a compass. Thet S one
reason | don't never say much fore
women
Our good host hurried the tagging
hours with many a tale of the river
and that island we were soon to visit,
once the refuge of Tadusac, the old
river pirate, so he told us, with a cave
now haunted by some ghost. We start
ed for the shore near ten o'clock, the
innkeeper leading us with a lantern, its
light pickering in a west wind The
sky was cloudy, the night dark. Our
host lent us the lantern, kindly offer
ing to build bonfire on the beach al
Il, to light us home.
Careful boys" said the innkeeper
as we got aboard. Aim straight fer
tn head o tn island. Can't ye see il
right over yer heads there? Mem
Der, they S awful rough water below
We pushed off, Dri leading. | could
see nothing of the island, but D'ri hat
better eyes, and kept calling me as he
went ahead. After few strokes of the
paddle could see on the dark sky the
dorLar mass IF traa-fODc