Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1925-07-29

IIlG H6du-p1ec6 over MS loren %.
would rise, grunting with desperate
effort
"In have them juggling with
three apiece in a week or So" said
Curran. "There won't Re much tai
low on their bones by that time, I'll
warrant"
Ted Fisk nodded, keeping careful
watch of his list, until all the great
bags of flour had been taken out and
piled on tarpaulins near the shore.
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.
eve have one load terrible for dis
voyage" complained one, of them.
Curran moved toward him with
flaming eyes, but Ted gripped his
arm and held him.
easy! Hold hard, Boyce! You
haven't got them away yet. You
know you can't do thing if they
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
if you don't hustle them too hard"
Curran felt that there was wis
dom in those words, and, perforce,
had to let up little in his driving.
Finally the whole of the flour was
slowed and the men were called to
breakfast, but appetites were dis
tinctly below par, although the. huge
pint cups of tea were stimulating
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 Irvine, 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 experiences. The cor
rect result once obtained will always
be maintained, the men remember
inr 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 bunch 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 a period Of idleness.
There was scanty joy also at the
prospect of a long journey under Or
ders of a driver like Curran; but
finally the entire population of Big
Rat Post had gathered on the
sharply sloping bank of the river,
Curran babe the agent and his
wife good-by, entered his canoe, and
gave a swift glance at the entire
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
hardly allowed Curran to use pad
die. He waved his hand to the peo-
ME on shore, and the journey began
while few of the men tried half
heartedlv to sing.
"Hit her up better'n that, Mash
kaugan! This amt 6eastly 1uh-
eraIp' ordered Curran sharply.
The hunchback started the song,
+ba 1oudness of his voice making up
for lack of quality:
En- roulant, ma boufe roulant!
The chorus was taken up and
semblance of cheerfulness finally
seemed to be attending the start. 1t
Continued until the canoes rounded
a long point, keeping well ashore
near the line alders, where the cur
rent lost some of its swiftness.
"i'm glad they're off," said Teddy
Fisk to his wife, as they returned to
the post. , 90
Something's going to happen to
that Curran some day." answered
the good woman. "He's too hard on
his men,"
"Weu, he's hustler and gets re-
SUITS, replied her husband. That's
what counts in the long rum"
"Perhaps it does" said the wife,
unconvinced, ant. the agent went
into the store to begin long bag
gling with Michaux and Passlgan
over the value of their bales OF 1ur.
Meanwhile the brigade kept on
rent maxim travel very slow. The
dav was warm and the sweat was
noiIring from the men. 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
mouths. After goino three miles
thew 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