Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-10-24
CHAPTER XIII


broken up, and floating down stresm
formed great gorge in the river just
below Matewsn. The river began to
rise, and the ice, breaking loose rent
the air with hideous crossings as it was
forced through the narrow channel be-
tween the mountains.
The morning came cloudless snd-still
but the roar of the mad rushing river
produced sound like that of an ap-
preaching storm. Now and then a raft
shot by, and as the merry voices of its
crew were drowned by the ceaseless
roar Of the river Reuben, who was still
weak and pallid from the severe attack
of fever, longed to go with them down
the river.
March passed away clear and bright.
Gradually the river fell, and all over
the rugged hills Towering red buds
blooned. Hickory and burchin buds be-
gan to swell, snd the spring birds came.
From almost every direction came the
shriil voices of mountain lads at work
high up in the steep coves, and the
hearts of Jim ard Reuben swelIed with
JOY at the thought that the should soon
start down the river. Reuben had al
most completely recovered from his ill
, ness, and by the first of May they were
ready for the journey.
I'D like to look purity well when
Mary sees me-" said Reuben to Jim as
they prepared for their departure. I'D
like to look jist bout like did when
she seed me last, but NV course IN look
little leaner an Older" he added.
Accordingly he was shaved and 'shiu-
gled' and mis- coon-skin cap exchanged
for broad brimmed hat When Jim
was offered better one he declined the
same with thanks
Pete Randolph gave the two noun
taineers his canoe, then packing a sup
ply of food into box and replenishing
themselves with ammunition, Sampson
and his companion seated themselves
In the canoe, and waving farewell to
their friends fioated smoothly down the
stream.
1t was a beautiful May morning and
the canoe ghded swiftly and smoothly
| through the clear water. AS it passed
under dead leaning sycamore, king
fisher dropped from his perch and utter
ing his chattering scream. penciled n
blue streak down the stream. The
nolsv screaming of a jay rang in the
woods, and over the river on a dropping
branch flaming red bird sat singing
with his eyes fixed on the sky.
''Goin' to be wet" said Jim, fer
them red birds hollerin is the best
sign O. wet weather ever seed.''
BY noon they had begun TO pass
farms the river widened to some ex-
tent and bottoms of several acres spread
out on either side. The constant click
OF the corn planters in fields near hy
puzzled the mountaineers, who had new
er seen any Of these modern instru-
| ments.
Look at that Teller, Rube," said
Jim, pointing to farm hand inserting
corn into the ground with a planter.
what We reckon he's doin' with that
big pair O. tongs?'
ne must De q plckin' up the fire
what flies from that bosses shoes" an
swered Reuben.
About halfway between Williamson
and Naugatuck darkness came on. The
stars came out in vast numbers. An
owl hooted far away in distant pine.
and up the valley fioated on the cool
night air the plaintive notes of a whip-
poorwill, while over the river swarns
of firefiies darted hither and thither
keeping up constant illumination with
their tiny glow.
/ The men had made slow progress, for
they had let their canoe float at will al
most all day. But now as his compan-
ion was asleep, Jim used his oar with
great dexterity. Onward like a duck
the frail bark glided and when morning
broke the mountaineers were nearing
the forks of Sandy. About 9 O'Clock
they passed between Louisa and Fort
Gay and entered the broad river. The
residents of the two towns came out to
look at the strange craft, and wondered
what the mission of the men in it could
be
All day they kept on but not so swift
ly as they had during the night. When
darkness again came on they landed
their canoe under a dark mass of rhode
dendron and prepared for rest. All the
western sky was aglow with strange
light. and far down the river hundreds
faN ska 1s<-l.A Il
the two mountaineers did not under
stand.
IL 'blieve the stars have sartin' fell
to the earth," said Reuben, pointing to-
ward the lights, but Jim made no reply.
The two men stretched themselves on
the ground and in spite of the strange
lights and the peculiar coughing sounds |
that came up on the night air they were
soon asleep. Early next morning they