Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-23


ing over us in the river way. Here
and there q swallow came coasting to
the ripples. sprinkling the holy water
Of delight upon us. or a crows shadow
plcwed 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 foafny
ridges, and went galloping in the rush
and tumble Of long slopes.
Let 'er rip!" I 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 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 a creaking sign. our chairs
tilted to the tavern-side.
Dri was making mOosc-hOrn of
birch-bark as he smoked thoughtfully.
When he had finished he raised 1t 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 I git separated in any
way. shape er manner 'cept one" said
he. as he slung it over his shoulder
with a string. Eye II know purity nigh
where | be when We hear thet air
thing"
You said, in any way, shape er
manner 'cept one" quoted. What
do you mean by that?'
My friend expectorated, looking off
into the night soberly moment.
Guess did MT mean nuthin," said
he. presently. when l set out t. say
suthin, don't never know where m
goin' t. land. Good deal LUX settin'
sail without a compass. Tibet s one
women"
Our good host hurried the tagging
hours with many 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 cave
| now haunted by some ghost. We start
ed for the shore near ten o'clock, the
Inn l.o 1on NJ Ia, -,
light Pickering in a west wind. The
sky was cloudy, the night dark Our
host lent us the lantern kindly offer
ing to build a bonfire on the beach at
II. to light us home
Careful, boys" said the innkecper,
as we got aboard. Aim straight fer
tn head O tn island Can't We see it
right over yer heads there? Mem
her. they S awful rough water below. "
We pushed off Dr leading. could
see nothing of the island. but D'ri had
better eyes. and kept calling me as he
went ahead. After few strokes of the
paddle | could see on the dark Sky the
darker mass of tree-,Ops.
Better light up" | suggested. We
were now close in
HUSH" he Kissed. Then. as | CAME
up to him, ne went on, whispering:
1T amt bes' { mex no noise here.
Don know none tew much bout this
here business. Don callate we re
soin' { hev any trouble, but if we dew
-Hark!'
We had both heard a stir in the
| hI1ch IL ;v, Lr
sand, listening. After a little silence
heard D'ri get up and step stealthily
into the water and buckle on his
sword. Then could hear him sinking
the canoe and showing her anchor deer
into the sand. He did it with no noise
that, so feet away, could have beer
distinguished from that of the ever.
murmuring waters. In moment h.
came and held my canoe, while | alst
took up my trusty bla -. stepping on
OF the canoe into the shallow water
Then he showed her off a little. ant
sank her beside the other. ! knew no
his purpose. and made no question O
1t, following him as he strobe III
shore with measured PAGES, the Ian
!
stuck his paddle into the bushes, ar
mine beside il. We We're near Il
head of the island, walking on a reed
strip of soft earth at the river margin
After few PAGES We halted to listen
but heard only the voice Of the waite
and the murmur of pines. Then "
pushed through thicket of small Fl
trees to where We CROPPED along il
utter darkness among the big tire
trunks on muifle-foOting. After
moment or so we got spray of light
We halted, peering at the glow tina
now sprinkled out through many
pinhOle aperture ia 4 fairy lattice O
pine needles.
My heart was beating loudly. TO
there was the promised lantern. Wa
| not soon to see the brighter light @
those dear faces? 1t was all the kin
of thing | enjoyed then-the atmos
phere of peril and rOmance-wild yout
that ! was. II is a pity. God knows.
had so little consideration for old D'ri
but he loved me. and-well. he himsel
had some pleasure In excitement.
We halted for only q m0men
pushing boldly through a thicket {
young pines into the light. A lanter
hung on the bough OF a tall tree. an
beneath II was wide opening we
.arpeted with moss and needles. W
, nerob off into tho oloop, hut ca