Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-09-03

Then the two men went to the
river to direct the slowing Of the
stuff. This proceeded slowly, for the
men were none too lively after the
previous nights dancing and the
whisky they had absorbed. From
one canoe to the other Curran ran,
directing, ordering and swearing at
the men.
We have one load terrible for dis
voyage" complained one of them.
Surran moved toward him with
flaming eyes, but Ted gripped his
arm and held him.
"Easyl Hold hard, Boyce! You
haven't got them away yet. You
know you can't do q thing IL thew
should take it into their muddled
heads to refuse to start. You're not
on Hudson Bay now. Better give
'em a little time. They're bound to
grumble, but they'll get on all right
II you don't hustle them too hard"
Curran felt that there was wis
dom in those words, and, perforce,
had to let up a little in his driving.
Finally the whole of the -four was
slowed and the men were called to
breakfast, but appetites were dis
tinctly below par, although the huge
| piiic cups VI Yea WSEG
and grateful. The men drank the
bitter stuff greedily and asked for
| NOR.
After this they carried down the
pork, and pals of oleo and jam, the
kegs Of powder, bars of lead for
bullets, rolls of netting twine, and
so many other things that it did not
seem as if five twenty-four-foot
canoes could possibly carry all the
stuff.
Yet it was all finally loaded, and,
after this was accomplished, there
was profound study of each canoe
and corrections were made when
they seemed rather too far down at
bow or stern, or listed to one side
or the other. The proper balance Of
such a craft is important. 1t is an
art demanding expcrtness. The cor
rect result once obtained will always
be maintained, the men remember
fng where every bag and box Is
slowed.
Before eleven o'clock everything
was ready. Mashkaugan, who was
second in command, returned with
the men toward their shacks and
tents, where personal outfits were
packed and brought out. A few Of
them had wives to bid good-by, but
the hunch back saw to it that the
adieus were not prolonged.
The noon meal, like the breakfast,
was not an attractive feast, for
mouths were still very dry and
muscles sore from the unwonted
work after period of idleness.
There was scanty joy also at the
prospect of a long journey under or
ders Of driver like Curran; but
finally the entire population Of Big
Rat Post had "athered on the
sharply sloping bank of the river.
.Curran, bade the agent and his
wife good-by, entered his canoe, and
outfit Mashkaugan had the stern
paddle and Jacques Clairay, who
would act as chief on the return,
was at the bow.
The dignity of chief Of brigade
die. He waved his hand to the peo-
Pile on shore, and The journey began,
while a few of the men tried half
heartedly to sing.
"Hit her up better'n that, Mash
kaugan! This amt a beastly fun
eralw ordered Curran sharply.
The hunchback started the song,
the loudness of his voice making up
for lack of quality:
En- roulant, ma boure roulant!
The chorus was taken up and a
semblance of cheerfulness finally
seemed to be attending the start. It
continued until the canoes rounded
a long point, keeping we'll ashore
near the line alderS, where the cur
rent lost some of it's swiftness.
"I'm glad they're Off" said Teddy
Fisk to his wife, as they returned to
the post.
Something's going to happen to
that Curran some day." answered
the good woman. Hes too hard on
his men,"
well, he's hustler and gets re-
Suits" replied her husband. That's
what counts in the long rum"
perhaps it does," said the wife,
anG the agent went
into the store to begin long hag-,
Cling with Michaux and Passigan
over the value of their bales of fur.
Meanwhile the brigade kept on
going up the river, the strong cur
rent maxim travei very slow. The
day was warm and the sweat was
pouring from the mems faces, sting
ing their eyes, which they wiped
with a quick move Of the wrist.
Paddles were lifted with blades
high in the air and the water trick
ling down the loom ran into thirsty
After goin. three miles
they stopped at the side of a little
brook running down from side-hill.
The ice-cold water refreshed the
men amazingly. They Lit their pipes
and started up long dead water
where the current was easier, and
presently the songs were heard
again.
An hour before n1ghtfall, having
covered only nine miles, the brigade
l.. aI - IL ~ L