Part 4 (1/2)
As the scoung out into the river, under no ed the journey, each to suit hiovern-sweep, th, stood always the steersht in the current The ten tons of luggage was piled high in each scow, and all covered with a great tarpaulin to protect the cargo of side-ar, flour, and steel traps, cloth, strouds, other rough supplies, as well as the better stock of trade goods--prints, powder, ball, rifles, oods--and such other additions to the original stock as modern demands instituted by the independent traders for the most part had now made necessary in the traffic with the tribes That year, indeed, a few hand sewing-s of wonder to the ignorant native of that far-off land
The progress of the boats, although steady, seemed very slow, and, as there was no work to do, the ht
There were several fiddlers in the fleet, and now and then, as the _Midnight Sun_ swept doell handled by the commodore, Francois, they passed a scohose bow deck a scantily clad half-breed was dancing to the ain across the water ca of the Cree steersade was off on its start for the long journey fro one more year of the wild commerce which had become a part of the land itself for more than a century now
”It's wonderful--wonderful!” said Rob, looking about hi of their first day of actual travel
”I've never seen a thingto be the best trip we've ever had
”I tell you what,” he added, ato the leader of their little party, ”I believe I'll try to keep a little diary for a little while at least; it ht be nice to have a few notes to refer to I doubt if any of us will ever ain”
”An excellent idea!” said his uncle ”That's the way to get your information soaked into your head Write it down, and be careful what you write Your notes, together with John's s you will prize very much indeed, later in life”
Rob, indeed, did fulfil his pro that very day, and perhaps a few notes taken fro what actually happened as recorded by himself
”_May 29th_--Off late Ran three ar rand start of the big brigade Runninglower
Cottonwoods, some brulee (burned-over forest) Supper 6 PM
Ran until 945 PM Da aht ht to ten tons each Father Le Fevre says, except for whitefish, all northern e, at head of Pelican Rapids, 120Head winds yesterday, but favorable noo boats collided, and one das I ever saw Priest baptized an Indian baby here I suppose this is what the brigade goes north for, in part Lay here until 7 in the evening, and then off for our first rapids, the Pelican
Rough, but not so bad as Coluh; twelve-foot doubtful
Scows do it easily Fast work close to the shore part of the way Men know their business Soade
Ca one another Many mosquitoes
”_June 1st, Sunday_--No travel to-day All of the boatmen are Catholics The priest put up a little chapel and said Mass Curious scene to see all these half-savages kneeling, hats off, on the ground After Mass a good ot their hair cut; one or two al party played cards all the afternoon John seeood ular starting-time
Ashore for lunch 1130 Slow and lazy work floating down, but pleasant Tied up at 6 for supper Much excite down to the head of Grand Island, where we h shalloater a many rocks, to the head of the island
It is low and rocky, covered with cottonwoods, should think about a , and not over half a mile wide Very fierce water to the left, with quiet water above No boat ever ran the left channel alive Many lost here in the Klondike; they went into that quiet and deep water on the left and got caught They say ill try to run the right-hand side Did not put up tent to-night, but slept under mosquito tents A hundred and sixty-five h ere to see the real work”
IV
THE GRAND RAPIDS
It was much as Rob had predicted in the last entry of his diary previously quoted Uncle dick hurried theh their breakfast
”We'll see some fun to-day, boys,” said he
”How do youto try to run the boats through?”
”They'll have to run the scows through light, so Francois tells h loaded, so practically each one will have to unshi+p its cargo here
”You see that wooden tra down the island?” He pointed toward a crooked track laid roughly on cross-ties, the rails of wood