The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-06-13

told them that had there been
at that time nothing on thi
dam nor the people below il.
would have reached nearly to
Two OF the great spillways Of
the dam were open and there was
quite q current running. so. with
the exception of nearly being up
set by a cable stretched across
the river that we did not see until
the last minute, we made . fairly
good run. But right away we be-
gan to see the effects Of the dam
as we drifted down river.
The slowing up Of the water dur
ing the time the lake was being
filled had caused the river to leave
some Of its old channels and carve
newer and easier ones for Il to
follow. The result was prepon.
derance Of shallow sand bars At
the current crossings that were
very hard to judge for depth.
See Engine Tragedy
We went aground five times in
the first Two hours Of travel be-
fore we were able to form some
idea II the crossings. Going
aground on these bars IL neither
an uncommon nor serious event.
but when there In high wind
blowing. one is liable to get pretty
wet before getting free. Luckily
on this particular day we were
able to push off sll Of them with
our paddles. instead Of getting out
and pushing.
Not far below the dam we came
upon an all too common tragedy
of the river. A horse. evidently
bent on getting q drink. had either
fallen over a cut bank or II had
csved In with Its weight and was
mired badly in the auckland Of
the river. When we saw IT the
water was just beginning to wash
over Its back. How long II had
been there we had no way Of
knowing, but 1t was very thin and
pitiful looking and its great brown
eyes turning to us as we passed
seemed to plead for release from
the threatening slow death.
Rancher Is Surly
Having talked to several ranch
ers above about this begging situ-
alton, we fully realized that we
had neither the equipment nor the
experience to free the unfortunate
animal. so we put in at the next
ranch below and reported the
affair.
The lone rsncher, probably the
Mirliest and least friendly indi-
vidusl we had met In Montana up
10 that time. wasn't much interest
ed In the horse because he was
sure II wasn't his. We murmured
something about ranchers helping
each other in this part Of the coun-
try. but he said nothing.
However, when we got back to
our canoe and were about ready
to shove off, he rode up on his
horse and told us he'd 20 down and
take q look at the animal and get
II out IL he could. II he was unable
to. he would at least put it out Of
its misery. I guess we were SO
used to the genislity Of the ranch
ers we had met before that we had
made 4 mistake in this ones atti-
tude. Living alone on one Of these
out-of-the-way ranches Is enough
to make anyone surly.
Dcggish Welcome
BY that time darkness was ap-
preaching. - We started looking
for 4 likely-looking ranch house.
Our real destination had been
Frazer, but our table Of distances
was IL miles off in this case. and
We would have had to complete the
run after dark; and anyone who
attempts to run the Missouri river
after dark Is q downright fool.
Just before the deadheads slid
from our sight In the darkness we
heard the welcome tinkle Of 4 cow
bell. which always means 4 ranch
house " nearby. Bleaching the
canoe on q wide bend. no mean feat
when the current IL 20 fast. We
waded through several yards Of
mud and came upon the welcoming
committee of the Hendrickson
ranch.
1t was in the form of big
police dog which. unlike most of
the dogs we had met. came toward
us slowly with its head down and
the hair on its back stiff and
straight. II was a tieklish MOS
ment becauses an approach like
that meant business. Standing
close toEether We were ABOUT
ready to ward off an attack as
best We could with our paddles.
when q motherly woman hurried
out the door Of the house and
drove the dog into retreat.
More Hospitality
That dog was certainly no eri-
terion Of the hospitality the Hend-
rieksons gave US. Tired and
hungry We were and the lady
sensed it the minute We came In.
In no time at all she had q steam
ing dinner Of ham and eggs and
potatoes in front OF us topped off
with homemade rolls and good
coffee.