The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1906-03-09

Don jes like this kind NV boss,
said D'ri. Got Z keep whalin' i'm all
the while, an he S apt t slobber n
rough goin."
He looked thoughtfully at the sun a
breath, and then trimmed his remark
with these words: Amt eggzac1y
sure-footed, nuther."
Don't require much feed, though"
l suggested.
mo; We hev { dew all the eatin', bat
We can alwus eat 'nough fer both"
1t was fine day, and ride to re-
member We had warm sun, 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 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 whiting 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 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 l 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 a noose-hOrn Of
birch-bark as he smoked thoughtfully.
When lie had finished, he raised it to
his lips and moved the tiaring end in
a wide circle as he blew blast that
rang miles away in the far forest.
EFF we heppen r 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 tibet 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' { land Good deal LUX settin'
sail without a compass. Tibet S one
reason l 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, it's
light Pickering in a west wind The
Sky was cloudy, the night dark. Our
host lent us the lantern, kindly offer
Ing 10 build bonfire Oh the beach at
II, TO light lis home.
Careful. boys" said the innkeeper,
as we goo aboard. Aim straight fer
tn head o tn island Can't ye see it
right over yer heads there? Mem
Der. they S awful rough water below. y
We pushed off, D'ri leading. l could
see nothing of the island, but D'ri had
] I'M a
went ahead. After few strokes Of the
paddle l could see on the dark sky the
darker mass of tree-tops.
Better light up" l suggested. We
were now close in.
"Hushl" he Kissed. Then, as l came
up to him, he went on, whispering:
ct amt bes' t. mex no noise here.
Don know none tew much bout this
here business. Don callate we re
goin' t hev any trouble, but if we dew
-Hark."
We had both heard a stir in the
bushes, and stuck our paddles in the
sand, listening After a little silence
l heard D'ri get up and step stealthily
into the water and buckle on his
sword. Then l could hear him sinking
the canoe and showing her anchor deep
into the sand. He did it with no noise
that, so feet away, could have been
distinguished from that of the ever
murmuriEg waters. In a moment he
came and held my canoe, while | also
took up my trusty blade, stepping out
of the canoe into the shallow water
Then he showed her off a little, and
sank her beside the other. | knew not
his purpose, and made no question Of
it, following him as he strobe the
shore with measured PAGES, the Ian
tern upon his arm. Then presently he
stuck his paddle into the bushes, ant
mine beside it. We we're near the
head of the island, walking on a reedy
strip of soft earth at the river margin
After a few PAGES We halted to listen
but heard only the voice of the water
and the murmur of pines. Then W.
pushed through a thicket of small fl
trees to where we CROPPED along il
utter darkness among the big ire,
trunks on a muftlefooting. After ;
moment or so we got spray of light