The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-11-09

them preparatory to a dash through
the shouting chasm. There was an
atmosphere Of excitement and ap-
prehension about the place; every
face was strained and expectant;
fear lurkcd in many an eye.
On tree near the landing were
two placards. One bore a finger
pointing up the steep trail to the top
of the ridge, and it was marked:
This way-two weeks" 81
The other pointed down directly
into the throat of the roaring gorge.
1t read: $685..
This way--two minutes"
Pierce Phillips smiled as he
perused these signs; then he turned
up the trail. for in his soul was a
consuming curiosity to see the place
of which he had heard so much.
Near the top of the slope he met
a familiar figure coming down--a
tall, outstanding French-Canadian
who gazcd out at the world through
friendly eyes. ....!
'Poleon Doret recognized the new
| conner and burst into boisterous
greeting.
Wal. way" he cried. "You amt
live to be hung yet, ch? Now you
come lookin' for me, l bet"
YES. You're the very man l
want to see"
Good! ! TAX you trough"
Philips smiled frankly. Pm not
sure | want to go through. I'm in
charge Of a big outfit and I'm look
ing for pilot and professional
crew. I'm perfect dub at this sort
OF thing"
'Poleon nodded. "Dere's no use
risk it if you amt got to, dat's fac.
| don lost no boats yet, but-some-
tam's bus 'em up pretty bad" He
yrinned cheerily. Desc newcomer
get scare easy an forget to row,
den dey say 'Poleon she's bum pilot.
| You seen de canon YETI" When
Pierce shook his head the speaker
turned back and led the way out to
the rim. .t.< "~.'
1t was an impressive spectacle
that Phillips beheld. Perhaps a
hundred feet directly beneath him
the river whirled and leaped; cross
currents boiled out from projecting
irregularities in the walls; here and
there the waters tumbled madly and
flung wet arms aloft, while up out
of the gorge came a mighty muir
muir, redoubled by the echoing cliffs.
A log came plunging through and it
moved with the speed of a torpedo.
Phillips watched it, fascinated.
Look! Dere's boat!" 'Poleon
cried. In between the basalt jaws
appeared a skiff with two rowers,
and a man in the stern. The latter
was braced on widespread legs and
he held his weight upon steering
sweep. Down the boat came at a
galloping gait, threshing over waves
and finging spray head-high; it
bucked and it dove, it buried its
nose and then lifted it, but the oars
man continued to maintain it on
steady course. >'.1r. ''.
"Bravoi" Doret shouted, waving
his cap. To Pierce he said: Oats
good pilot an he knows swift water.
But dere's lot of Teller here who
amt SO good. Dey TAX chance for
beeg money, Wal. wat you t'ink of
her? She's dandy, chr
ITS an-inferno," Phillips &C.
knowledged. "You earn all the
money you get for running it,"
you don care for i'm. w'at?"
IL do not: don't mind taking
chance, but-what chance would a
fellow have in there7 Why, he'd
never come up" E.
Oats right"
Phillips stared at his companion
curiously. "You must need money
pretty badly" .rs.
The giant shook his head in vigor-
Gus denial. mol Money? Poufl
She come, she 60. But, you see
plenty people drowned if somebody
dom talk dem trough, SOL stay.
Dis winter l build myself nice cabin
an do Ill trappin'. Mex summer l
pilot again"
Aren't you going to Dawson"
Pierce was incredulous; he could not
understand this fellow.
Doret's expression changed; a
fleeting sadness settled in his eyes.
Il been dere," said he. Il amt
much care for .scein' beeg city. I'm
lonesome feller." After moment
he exclaimed. more. brightly: "Now
we go. l see if can hire crew to
row your boats
"How does she look to you"
Lucky Broad inquired, when Pierce
~nd H., c1,,,c,,;ou ,ooaarod l. Ha
and Bridges had not taken the trout
BILE, to acquaint themselves with the
canon, but immediately upon. land
ing had begun to stow away their
freight and tonlash a tarpaulin over
it. ! -,
Better 90 up and see for your
SELF" the young man suggested. !.
Lucky shook his head. mot me"
he declared. II can hear all / want
to. Listen. to it! / got long life
ahead of me and I'm going to nurse
it,, = 4.. lI
Kid Bridges was of like mind, for
he said: ".Surei We was a coupla
brave guys in Dyea, but what's the
good of runnin' up to an undertaken
and giving him your measurements!
He'll get . tape-line on you soon
enough" ~ i
Then you don't intend to chance
it?" Pierce inquired.
Broad scowled at the questioner.
"Sayl wouldn't walk down that
place if it was froze!'
"Nor me-" the other gambler sec
onded. mot for a r1iilien dollars
would / tease the embalmer that
way. Not for . million. Would
you, Lucky?"
Broad appeared to weigh the fig
ures carefully; then he said, doubt.