AFLOAT TN A OALE. 2.")5 



We Ijotli paddled vigorously. The wind, by lliis time 

 blowing almost a gale, drove us on tlirough the long, 

 open reaches of water at a wonderful and exhilarating rate. 

 AVe finally worked our way through tije two or tliree 

 speciall}' dittieult passes in the flooded timl)er and drift- 

 wood and came to the "fi.sh hawk's nest," a point 1)eyond 

 Avhicli tlie river becomes in fact the lake. 



Looking out upon the dark and angry water, we saw 

 that the waxes were high and rough. 'I'he Avind was'rush- 

 ing with terrific fury down from the long level of Dead 

 Creek, and expending its full force upon the long and broad 

 stretch of water we must inevitably descend and cross on 

 our way to the home camp. The shores Avere marshes and 

 drowned lauds. There was no landing near us where a 

 tempoiary camp could be made. Our provisions were low. 

 The prospect of a night without shelter, probal)ly in our 

 boat, with a fierce rain-storm brewing, was not agreeable. 

 We were very tired. The next day was to be the last in 

 camp. All thes(^ considei-ations made us reallj' anxious to 

 proceed, desjiite the forbidding out look, but we did not 

 intend taking many risks, for we were in no position to 

 redeem a l^lunder, and could hope for no aid from others 

 in case of disaster. 



We approached Dead Creek Bay at its head, in the lee; 

 ventured a little among the waves; scanned the wild, 

 tunil)ling waters and the mad white-caps; ventured a little 

 further; questioned whether we should try the i)assage 

 down to the next narrow water, hnt continued going as we 

 questioned; until finally, somewhat to our alarm and quite 



