Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-27


pole in hand. he answered:
Let her go as she is, Frank.
And, even as he spoke, the canoe dipped
into the first plunge of the rapids
There was nothing to do but stand ready
Frank, who knew the channel well, had
steered for the best water; but right ahead
was difficult spot.
A boulder stood directly in the way There
was not the least danger Of striking upon 1t,
for the water was heaaped up as It were,
against it, and formed sort OF cushion,
which would throw the canoe of TO the SIDE;
but just to the right, and little further
down the rapid, was fiat rock which In one
place came to the surface of the water, and
the danger was that, in escaping the boulder,
the canoe might 90 too far off and catch upon
the fiat surface, in which case 1T would be
likely to swing broadside to the current, and
be upset.
The best water in all the Bend lay in the
narrow channel between the flat rock and tne
boulder. 80,
Tom saw at once the danger to be avoided,
and when about a canoes length from the
boulder, he thrust out his pole to the ieit,
and, finding that it caught firmly upon tne
rocky bottom threw all his weight. upon 1t
and swung the bow of the canoe diagonailly
across the current. Then, quick, as hash,
he shifted his hands. and the next instant
had firmly placed the end of his pole to the
right, under the edge of the fiat rock.
seconded them by vigorous thrust with his
pole to the left.
In this way they held the canoe poised in
the furious current, while Tom, with much
skill, and without letting go his pole,ho,ld
upon the rock, worked the bow toward the
narrow channel.
The instant it was headed right, he shout
ed:
''Let go!'
And the instant they passed the first dan
ger, Frank exclaiming:
'Well done, Tom! That was splendid"
But there was no time for compliments a
reef of boulders ran out from the left bank.
and the deep water was over to the right.
So a diagonal run had to be made, and this
meant the handling of the poles as quickly
as they could be moved.
Once or twice it was necessary not only TO
check the course of the canoe, but to force 1t
up against the current for short distance.
Their skill was equal to the demand upon 1t,
and despite the shower of sparks that IN,
convenienced them not little, the diagonal
run was soon accomplished, and they held the
canoe steady close to the right bank, ready
for the dash around the turn.
Now an unexpected sight met their gaze.
Evidently the fire had been burning much
longer. below the turn than elsewhere, ana an,
several great trees had fallen across the
stream, completely blocking the passage.
Escape by the stream was clearly impos-
BILE, and, while they waited, they realized
that the anticipated refuge in the, it,
self was full of peril; for tree which stood
on the opposite bank, its roots having burned
off, tottered and fell in such direction that,
had the boys not let the current sweep the
canoe onward for a short distance, they
would have been crushed by the branches.
eve must go ashore and take to the Pill
lar" said Frank.
'sBut what win we do with the canoe"
asked Harry, who, being the owner. of the
craft, was not unnaturally little concerned
as to its fate.
"Sink her." was the answer.
1t was only yard or two to the shore, and
the water was not more than two feet deep.
Frank was the first to jump out, and, TAX
ing his knife, he cut hole in the bottom Of
the canoe Then. while Harry held the craft
steady and Tom filed haversack with pro-
visions. he loaded the canoe with stones pick
ed from the bottom of the stream.
Everything is secure, isn't it, Harry"