The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-11-08

where there were few bars that
would offer a sanctuary. Rushing
10 the top OF the sand bar TO wit
ness the big waves she Was reputed
10 leave behind. we were disap-
pointed as she drifted slowly by.
her forty-four foot wheel turning
slowly in reverse. There was a
difficult channel bend right AZ
that point and she had 10 spend
the better part Of a mile in flank
ing the rig-zsg crossings.
Ne Mix. No Eggs
We didn't want 10 pass her dur
ing the thanking process. so. after
packing, we ran across the slough
to the light mans houseboat and
tried TO buy some milk and eggs
from his wife. But IL was no 40.
Milk Is the scarcest article along
the river and for some unknown
reason eggs are so scarce that the
grocery companies have to bring
them in from the north in order TO
meet the demand--whieh isn't too
great because Of the high price.
The ever-present wind had again
shifted to the south, but Il was
gentle and. as the day wore on. IL
was warmed by the sun. AS we
worked our way south the river
became more and more dotted with
sandbRrs. the high clay banks were
steel green. though many OF the
trees were starting TO shed their
leaves, and the lines of levees were
moving in closer to the river.
MHoon Bend, according to re-
ports in Memphis. would give us
good deal OF trouble, because
there the current struck straight
into the bank and its swing to the
right created a dangerous eddy.
But the warning was not needed.
Undoubtedly. during high water.
there is a bad eddy there. but at
the present stage there Is only a
slight quickening OF the current
and numerous small eddies. Some
of them were powerful enough 10
take hold OF the canoe and rock Il
a bit. but there was no danger
provided we stayed clear OF the
government barges stationed there.
Like many OF the short bends, the
current has undermined and torn
out a good part OF the cement re-
vetment and the government is
rushing work In an effort 10 get IL
fixed up before the next siege of
high water.
No Grub 20 Share
Late in the afternoon, as we
swept past dredge. two men In
a skiff hailed us and waved Us over.
They were rafting fifty logs down
river TO Helena, Ark. using only
the current and two sets OF oars
as motive power. They had allot-
ted themselves six days for the
trip, but high winds had given
them so much trouble that they
were far behind schedule and their
provisions had given out. They
thought, perhaps. we had enough
TO help them out.
II was the first time we have
ever had TO turn down a chance 10
help a fellow traveller in distress.
We had misjudged the distance 70
Helena and had not stocked up
sufficiently in Memphis 20 carry
us through comfortably. There was
barely enough food In The grub box
for a skinny dinner and skimpier
breakfast. On checking our re-
spective supplies over II was found
that our two lsrders were almost
Identical and, being true rivermen
the loggers did not press us fur.
Their. OF course, they had a longer
trip in front OF them before they
would be able 20 get food. but. for
obvious reasons, we couldn't stand
food shortage.
That night We chose a sandbar
with plenty OF wood for a roaring
campfire. The minute the sun went
down the air had become down.
right cold and We needed the heat
After a dinner Of unsatisfying spa.
ghetti, We collected a great pile Of
wood and settled down 70 toAstlns
our fronts while the sharp breez.
chilled Our backs.
For sometime there had been n.
sound Of a motor on the river, bal
tn I,ooe@a Tn Thick