7 re 
’ 
“ A TRAMP WITH REDSKINS.” 259 
then did, little did I then realize the heroic extent of their 
good tempered endurance, and little did I anticipate the 
further enlightenment which the immediate future had in 
store for me. 
At last the quest of the boat was given upin despair ; 
and it became necessary to decide between turning back, 
seeking another crossing place, or fording the nasty looking 
rapids. The latter proceeding, the Redmen said, was 
possible for the men and for myself, and might even be 
just possible for the women. Whether the children 
and the baggage could be got across seemed to be con- 
sidered a more open question. All seemed, however, 
willing to make the attempt. 
I do not mind confessing that my heart was, as the 
saying is, in my mouth. But, mentally capping this 
with that other saying as to the fate of one who hesi- 
tates, I gave the signal for the onward journey by hastily 
stripping, and, instantly spurred by innumerable stabs 
from triumphant ‘‘ lunkes,” as hastily plunged in to the 
rapid. A shout to the athletic GABRIEL, a first rate 
swimmer, was sufficient to make him pick up my clothes 
and plunge in with these after me. Through that great 
turmoil of water, which was sometimes waist-deep, some- 
times only ankle-deep, sometimes over my head, my 
feet slipping about in the most agonizing way among 
the jagged rocks of the river bed, my whole body now 
and again taken completely out of my control by sudden 
and unexpeéted rushes of water, I contrived by and by to 
reach a projecting rock in mid-stream. GABRIEL, good- 
natured and capable as usual, was still being tumbled 
about in the water close behind me; yet he was 
evidently keeping his eye on me and, much more won- 
