The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-06-04
other, mere shadow In the dark, was
understandable

other, a mere shadow In the dark, was
unacceptable.
you go with u.s." asked
He Strengthened up, with the motion
of salute.
yah, der captain he says so, don't
i'd" the words strongly Dutch.
"Oh, yes, my man; you are the cook.
Is there an extra paddle in there,
boys?"
An Indian voice grunted a response,
holding it up.
"All right; take it, and get in. What
is your name?"
Johann Schultz"
remembered him, private in
Browns company, as poor choice as
could have been made for such an ex.
petition but it was too late now for
an exchange.
'Tn with you, Schultz" ordered
sharply, behind the last Indian, and
bend your back; this is to be no pleas
ure trip after wild flowers. All ready,
'Brady?"
He stepped into the bow of the
craft, without answering, and crouched
down, his long rifle showing above his
shoulder Il pushed off, and found
room at the stern. There was flash
of paddles in the dark water, and, al
most noiselessly, we swept out into the
stream. For the space of mile, per-
haps, we skirted the clearing, the river
a stream of silver under the stars, the
land on either side, disfigured by
blackened tree stumps, making DESC
late picture Then the canoe slipped
silently into the forest waterway, the
dense woods on either bank obscuring
the stars, and plunging us into dark
ness. Brady bent over the sharp bow,
his eyes watchful for any obstacle, for
any swirl of the current, and l could
family distinguish his voice in low
spoken warning to the Indian paddlers
We were hemmed in by wilderness,
the narrow stream bordered by great
forest trees, with branches over-hang-
ing the current, and huge roots pro-
jecting from the messy banks.
There was little or no underbrush;
indeed, as the light grew stronger, the
vista stretched far away between the
gnarled trunks Of oak and hickory to
where the land rose in low bluff. 1t
was a somber scene of gray and green
coloring, save that here and there were
clusters of wild flowers yielding
brighter hue Of blue and yellow to the
found, the river noiseless, except as
the waters occasionally foamed over
some obstacle in their path, or MUIR
INJURED softly about the sharp PROV Of
the canoe. High up above the early
morning air fluttered the leaves, yet SO
gently that no sound of rustling
reached me. The woods themselves
were desolate. apparently uninhabited.
without even fleeting wild animal to
break their loneliness.
sat up, rubbing my cramped limbs,
and stared about down the forest
aisles, impressed by the somberness
of our surroundings. yet with every
faculty aroused. The Dutchman's Ian
guild movements, and the Precipitation
streaming down his face, told Of hard
nights work.
" 0eE 1utO Inc Oduk t0er0, DCyS,
to the right" l commanded. Beyond
the roots Of that big oak. Well
breakfast, and then rest awhile"
This was accomplished with a sweep
of the paddles, and we stepped ashore,
the Indians drawing the light canoe
we'll up into the mud. Brady stamping
about to restore circulation. Schultz
cOl1a nsod in his SCOT opd ctoDDod IN
shake him.
Tired, man? Move about and you'll
feel better"
"Mein Gott." he moaned, rolling hie
eyes up at me imploringly. Il vos mos
ded NIT der tire-ness. Mein feet Won't
move already"
THAT will be all right, Schultz"
said kindlx MIll holm uo,, ashoro and