Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1925-08-12

L
opening of the tent.
But on the next DAY the sun was
shining brightly again, and great
fluffy clouds journeyed peacefully
while the waters rippled pleasantly
on the gravel of the shore.
They left the outlet and padded
up the northern shore of the lake.
Toward evening they arrived at an
encampment Of Indians and re-
manned with them for the night.
AS they set about the cheerful
fires before the tents, Lorimer ques-
toned the men carefully.
A tall youth showed surprise when
Lorimer announced his Intention of
exploring the rivers, but the older
ones merely nodded, saying nothing,
for they believed that white men
were apt to be foolish or else were
ever searching for rocks and other
things that were of no concern to
sensible people.
Lorimer sought his tent and blank
cts early, but Mashkaugan re-
NAMED up late with the Indians,
who were only too glad to talk long
to one who had just arrived.
what is in the mind of the white
man | know not" he said negligent
ly in answer to some questions.
Neither do care, for my time is
paid and we have plenty of food
with u.s."
"We do not like those other riv-
ers," said a very old man, shaking
his head. "Our Manitou limos have
told of evil things upon their wa
ters."
Mashkaugan appeared to be start
led at this information.
"There can be nothing that is
worse than the White Rapids, he
said.
"That also is a place that is ac-
cursed" answered the old man, who
rose and went off to his tent.
"His only son, fine lad, met his
death in them" Mashkaugan was
told by a youth. after the waters
allowed him he was never seen
-, ain"
This ma, Uapishiu, of the Vel
low Hair, knows little Of this coun-
try" said another Indian. "Curran,
the man with the thin face, knows
all about it. He has talked with us
when we have been to Tshemuak.
We told him that the river to the
north is trapped over, being q good
country, and he knows he gets all
the fur. We also told him that the
river to the east and the other be-
yond come from barren lands where
there is little fur ard the caribou
pass in small numbers. No men
can live there nothing but winde-
gos and spirits of evil things"
EEJt ic o1nIo1, F,.o,,, oo,,o
p&ny," said Mashkaugan uneasily.
This was enough, for ali men knew
how powerful the company was. Did
it not seem to be master of all lands
and en-even of the beasts and
fowls and fishes the whole world
over?
But when the old man who had
sought his tent discussed the mat
tel with his wife he had many
things to say.
'The company sends e.. to travel
and look over the lands; but it never
sCl.ds men unless some one has tcId
them that country is worth looking
over. Curran must have told them.
For some purpose of his own he lied.
lay the chief Of all evil beings tor
nent his splrit!'
"Uapishiu of the Yellow Hair is
/ good man." said the wife. Per
aaps Curran did not want him at the
post, being afraid of him because
there was lShkuteuapu (whlaAy,
burning water) to be sold. 1t was
mis- that caused the 4eGth< Of ouT
vnly son last year, VINO, shouting
loudly and outstanding, drove his ca
noe in the middle OF the " hite Rap
ids
The old people shoe. their heads
many times, for the soreness of Their
great loss was still upon them. Pres
emily the whole camp was asleep,
save for few lean dogs that prow-
eC. about the emDerS OF the emp
hres searching for neglected morseIs
Of food.
On the next morning the travellers
started again. In the course of the
next few days they met two more
families. After speaking with them,
Lorimer became more and more lis
satisfied with the Information he was
,eJJIng.
"Of course, now must go and
ook for myself" he cogitated. Zone
tan never De altogether certain that
these fellows are giving one straight
TALK. Yet don't see how there can
De any Indians living up the rivers
20 tbs east or these people would
now about them. Of course they're
..lways scared at the MOI ton of
.1ocs they're not acquainted with;
1ut they don't even give me some
cccH-and- bull story abo It bad people
WING somewhere N that direction.
Five DAYS were enough to explore
he northern river. 1t proved to be
me ground, but it was all carefully
capped over until it ended in tiny
reams issuing from great marsh
nds.
The first eastern river only took
=! diso 70 e.>p.ore. 1t soon proved
n..>,ics ton and I.oriE, II hat to turl.
y.
The remaining str.-m, 1owin.
into the lake not more than
mile from the inlet Of the previous
one, at first promised fair travel; but
rnxxrbo,-o ~ ho-lye ao,,1l &haxy dis