New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-11-19
NOM 60 on WITH THU STORY

Island after island they inspected
aud hailed: meanwhile keeping
sharp lookout on either side Of the
river. but in vain They we're hoarse
with shouting when the last of the
islands was reached. and on Ainlcy's
face a look OF anxiety manifested it.
sell. Landing at tho tail OF the
island the Indian hunted around until
he found Il dry branch, and this he
threw into the water and stood to
watch the course as it went down
river. The DRIFT OF it seemed to y,
towards a bar on the eastern bank,
and towards that, distant PERTAINS a
couple OF miles, the course of their
canoe was directed. When the,
reached it. again the Indian landed,
and began to inspect the t'otsam on
the edge OF the bank closely. Ainlc,
watched him with apprehension.
tht Indian STOPPED, ami after two or
three attempts tshci something from
the water. He looked at it kcenIy
for a moment, then he gave "A shout.
and began to walk along the lar to-
wards the canoe.
As he came nearer, the white man
saw that the object he carried WIS
the spoon end of a paddle. When
close at hand the Indian held IL out
for his inspection.
Him broke" he said in English.
And the break quite fresh"
There was 40 question AS Ia that.
Notwithstanding that the paddle had
been in tho water, the clean wood of
the fracture showed quite plainly, and
whilst Ainiey was looking ri il the
Indian stretched a finger and pointed
TO a semi-eircular groove which ran
across the broken end.
His shot" he announced quite
calmly
As they started down river again,
Ainlny's face took on a settled look OF
anxiety. II was now close ON mid
night. but very light. and on either
bank everything could he clearly seen.
They kept q sharp lookout. bnt found
no further trace Of the missing canoe,
and the early dawn found them in
quirkening current, racing Tor the
point where the tributary river Joined
The main stream.
Ainier looked ahead. Downstream
the river narrowed and the low broad
banks about them gradually rose IN.
III they were Ike high ramparts on
either hand. TAe Indian pointed
towards tho trre-crowund cliffs.
No good there" he said. wv,
land here. and make grub; walk down
and see what the water like"
4 few minutes later they were
niloat again, and after a little time
there was no need TO paddle Tho
current caught them and lung them
towards the limestone gateway al OK
press speed, In an Amazingly short
lime they had passed through the
gorge, and were watching the banks
open out on either side OF them.
There was no sign OF life anywhere.
no indication that any one had passed
that way since time began. As They
sped onward a peculiar thr0b aud
rumble began 10 make itself heard
IL increased rs they nuarcd the range
Of hills towards which they were maxi
ing, and as tho banks began to grow
rocky. aud the water ahead broken
by boulders. the indian looked for a
good place TO land.
He found IL or Tic ter side Of O.
bluff whore an eddy had sroopcd
little bay in the steep bank. and
turning the canoe inside il. they
stepped ashore Making the canoe
secure they climbed to the top Of the
bank aud began TO push their way
down stream.
The river but few feet below
them, bordered by shelving terraces
Of rock. suddenly disappeared. Roll
ing classify for perhaps fifty yards.
with scarce a ripple on its surface.
the water seemed to gather itself TO-
gether. and leap into a gorge. the bot
tom Of which was ninety feet below
Ainley stood looking al the long cas-