A TRIPLE CANOE TRIP. 



159 



sired to turn in bed, for fear of capsizing. 

 In the morning we rolled out of bed into 

 the water for a bath, and altogether the ar- 

 rangement was ideal. 



The upper river, except for the jams and 

 wire fences already mentioned, is compara- 

 tively clear sailing; but below Winamac we 

 found the remains of many rude stone 

 dams. They were made years ago, and are 

 always on a riffle, where the water is swift 

 but shallow. As a consequence, the stones 

 are in plain sight at low water, and the 

 question is one of getting through at all 

 without walking; but when the stream is 

 up they are covered, and their presence is 

 revealed only by the extraordinary rough- 

 ness of the water. There is always at least 

 one narrow gap in the dam. As the canoe- 

 ist approaches rapidly from above he sees 

 somewhere in the line of tumbling foam a 

 black triangle of swift, smooth water, its 

 apex down stream. If he can strike this 

 triangle bow on he will glide through 

 smoothly; if not, he is morally sure to 

 bump, may capsize, and probably will stick 

 between 2 rocks and swamp his boat. 



Besides these fish dams we met several 

 of more familiar construction ; one each at 

 Oswego, Bloomingsburg, Pulaski and Nor- 

 way, and 2 at Monticello. The Bloomings- 

 burg dam is of logs, and it is an easy mat- 

 ter to lift the boats down. At Pulaski we 

 portaged. At Norway we made our way 

 around through the old mill race, since 

 closed. Both the Monticello dams have — 

 or had — fish ways or ladders, down which 

 we slid the boats with little difficulty. 



Fishing in the Tippecanoe, like some 

 other things in life, is not what it once was. 

 Spearing, seining and dynamiting have done 

 their part toward exterminating the bass 

 that used to 'swarm in its waters ; but if 

 we may believe the fishermen we passed, 

 the one thing which has done more harm 

 than all these is the introduction of the 

 carp. These water hogs are said to de- 



vour the spawn of other fish, especially of 

 bass. 



The Tippecanoe flows into the Wabash 

 river a few miles above LaFayette, not far 

 from the historic battle ground where Te- 

 cumseh met his fate. At LaFayette one 

 can ship his canoe in almost any direction 

 within a few hours after his arrival, and 

 take train himself for home. He can, if he 

 so desire, continue his journey down the 

 Wabash, but after the first few miles the 

 yellow water, muddy banks and monoto- 

 nous scenery grow tiresome, especially as 

 there is little good fishing. For canoeing 

 one wants a narrow, rapid stream, not too 

 much frequented, and if possible abound- 

 ing in fish. Its banks should be clean and 

 its bed rock or sand. The farther from 

 civilization the better, but tolerable canoe- 

 ing can be found even in Indiana. 



For 3 weeks we loitered along the beau- 

 tiful river, starting late and stopping early, 

 with long noonings and sometimes whole 

 days in camp. Each morning the bath, 

 each evening the monster camp fire. The 

 element of danger and daring adventure 

 was wanting, of course, but as a complete 

 change from the monotony of school or 

 business life such a trip with all its tame- 

 ness has charms. It is better than camping 

 in a fixed place, for there is constant change 

 of scene and incident and greater opportu- 

 nity for roughing it. The small expense 

 involved may prove another item in its 

 favor for those whose purses are not over 

 deep. 



Our party returned to cuffs and collars, 

 beds and tables, with real regret. Poly's 

 valedictory ran something like this : 



"I tell you, fellows, my idea of an even- 

 ing in heaven is a grassy island, a big fire, 

 a blanket and a pipe; the moon just rising 

 round and full, the air full of the scent of 

 wood and the sound of rushing waters, 

 supper done, the dishes washed, and every- 

 body happy. If I've done anyone a wrong, 

 I forgive him now." 



AMATEUR PHOTO BY ROBT. STEVENSON, 



PINE GROSBEAKS. 

 Winner of 36th Prize in Recreation's 8th Annual Photo Competition. 



